Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 6/8/11
 

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Alpharma, a subsidiary of giant drug maker Pfizer, said today it would suspend U.S. sales of 3-Nitro, which poultry producers have used to protect the health of their flocks since the 1940s.

The company’s announcement follows U.S. Food and Drug Administration study of 100 broilers that detected inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, at higher levels in chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared with untreated chickens. The agency emphasized the levels detected were very low and that eating chicken as that drug is taken out of the market does not pose a health risk.

"FDA detected increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro, raising concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen," said Michael Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods, in a news release. "We are pleased to announce that the company is cooperating with us to protect the public health."

The National Chicken Council issued a statement reiterating that, “Chicken is safe to eat. The Food & Drug Administration says it is NOT raising any alarms about consumption of chicken.”

Alpharma will cease sales of 3-Nitro, which has been used (primarily in broilers) to help control intestinal disease, weight gain, feed efficiency and pigmentation. It is used in many, but not all, flocks and used in accordance with FDA-approved label instructions, NCC noted.

FDA has consulted with USDA and is working with Alpharma to minimize the impact on the animal agriculture industry as 3-Nitro is suspended from the market.