What Are the Risks of Consuming Chemicals in Meat?

What Are the Risks of Consuming Chemicals in Meat?

Synthetic growth hormones and other potentially dangerous compounds are included in a lot of the meat that we consume, even though most people don't know it.  What are the benefits of using growth hormones in cattle? Financial gain is paramount. These days, ranchers are looking for ways to speed up the cattle production process. From when the calf is young, around 80 pounds, to when it is ready to be sold, approximately 1,200 pounds, the rancher may only have around 14 months.  

Cattle are given growth hormones to prepare them for slaughter as quickly as possible and to reduce the amount of fat in their meat.  The chemical molecule nitrate is also present in modern meat; it is used for curing and imparting a healthy hue to the flesh. Nitrates are the most prominent ingredient in hotdogs; they are responsible for the red colour.

Meat injected with hormones is not a recent phenomenon. Studies demonstrating that oestrogen influences the rates of growth in chickens and cattle date back to the 1930s. Cattle were being artificially enlarged in the 1950s with the use of DES, a synthetic oestrogen. Unfortunately, the practice of using DES to "fatten" livestock and poultry has been phased out due to its carcinogenic effects.

Currently, five distinct hormones used in food production have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Naturally occurring compounds include progesterone and testosterone, while zeranol and trenbolone acetate are manufactured synthetically.  Cattle and sheep are the only animals that can legally be given these hormones.  Animals that do not put on a lot of weight when given these hormones are not given them, including pigs and poultry like chickens and turkeys.  A pellet is often inserted under the animal's skin, just behind the ear, to administer these hormones. When the animals are killed, the hormone is released from the pellet, and their ears are discarded.

Researchers and customers alike are worried that the meat could still contain harmful levels of hormones and toxins. Is it just me, or is puberty starting earlier for girls these days? Modern beef is thought to include steroids, which could explain the phenomenon.  Further research is required because existing studies on the possible dangers of meat have shown no definitive results. 

The animals' natural hormone production makes it difficult to separate the effects of the pellet hormones from those of the animals' natural hormones, which is a challenge for researchers. Researchers also have the additional challenge of accounting for the fact that different animals generate hormones at different levels. Nitrosamines are a potential byproduct of the conversion of nitrates, which are used as colourants and cures for meats. Nitrosamines are thought to have carcinogenic and proliferative properties.  The FDA, however, continues to permit the use of nitrates in processed foods despite the lack of conclusive research that conclusively deems them detrimental.

As a buyer, what are your responsibilities? Buying organic meat is one option. Animals that are reared without the use of hormones or steroids are known as organic meat.  In addition, there are no pesticides used in the grain that the cattle are fed.  A system for the labelling of all organic foods, including meat, was established in 2002 by the United States Department of Agriculture. You can tell it's organic meat if it has at least 95% organic components because of the label. If you can't locate organic meat in your local supermarket, you might have to hunt it out at a health food store or butcher. Even better, you can get organic meat delivered straight to your door if you shop online. On the other hand, it's a good idea to get a little quantity first if you plan on buying meat online. Before you buy more, you can test it out to see if it's up to your standards in terms of freshness, delivery time, etc.

People will always be wary of the practices used by ranchers in their pursuit of faster cow slaughtering processes. Until further studies are conducted, it is advisable to keep informed about the potential dangers of hormones used in cattle and chemicals used in meat processing. Additionally, it is recommended to buy organic meat for your family.