| Message: | The use of steroid hormone analogues in animals used for human consumption has been a source of international debate for many years. In the European Union, a total ban of anabolic agents for growth promotion in food animals has been in place since 1988 on the bases of unknown or poorly demonstrated food safety (Stephany 2001). After a review of 17 scientific studies by the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health, the European Commission concluded that hormonally-treated meat poses a risk to consumers (SCVPH 2002). Conversely, in Canada and the USA, certain synthetic and natural anabolic steroid hormones are approved for use under controlled regulations (Stephany 2001). Interestingly, after a review of the same 17 studies, Health Canada concluded that residues in beef pose no undue risk to human health, provided the drugs are used and administered appropriately.
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