Federal Efforts To Regulate Toxic Residues in Raw Meat and Poultry

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) share responsibility for insuring that raw meat and poultry do not contain illegal residues of drugs, pesticides, or environmental contaminants. Residues of many substances which have been found to cause adverse effects including cancer in test animals have been found in raw meat and poultry at levels exceeding established tolerances. USDA reported that illegal residues were found in only about 2 percent of samples tested. However, the testing methods were questioned, the results did not accurately indicate consumer exposure, and the incidence of illegal residues was higher. Generally, neither USDA nor FDA can locate and remove from the market the products found to contain illegal residues. A tagging system for identification of slaughtered animals does not seem to be feasible. A capability needs to be developed for a timely sample analysis before the carcass leaves the packing house. Efforts to prevent future shipments of contaminated animals have not been effective because of ineffective follow-up by FDA, avoidance by growers of USDA pretest requirements, inadequate residue detection methods, and difficulties involved in using strong regulatory actions such as the lack of case histories to support prosecution and the lack of authority by FDA to seek civil penalties.