Policy and Research Recommendations: Hormones in Meat and Milk
Modern food-production methods have introduced new environmental exposures to carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting compounds. Pesticides on crops, antibiotics in poultry and hormones in cattle, sheep and hogs expose consumers involuntarily to unsafe contaminants every day. Consumption of animal products may hold inherent risks because animal fat can retain pesticides and other environmental toxicants consumed by the animal and research suggests that some of these exposures may increase breast cancer risk.
Since its introduction in 1993, bovine growth hormone (rBGH/rBST) has proven controversial because of its potential carcinogenic effects. Several studies have shown an association between dairy consumption and breast cancer in pre-menopausal women. rBGH has been shown to raise insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) levels in the body; which have, in turn, been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Another food additive of concern is zeranol, a growth promoter used in the beef industry that mimics the effects of natural estradiol in the body.
Federal and State Policy Recommendations
- In the absence of federal regulation, states should either ban or label the presence of hormones in meat and milk so consumers can make informed and safer purchases.
Research Required
- Exposure studies are needed that measure the presence and levels of synthetic hormones in meat and dairy sold and consumed in the U.S. so the potential for negative health effects can be assessed.
- Research that looks at red meat and dairy consumptions and their possible association with breast cancer should consider—and include in the methodology—the presence of synthetic hormones within these products. Without addressing these additives, it is not clear whether the research findings reflect the dietary nutritional composition of the food— e.g., vitamins, fat content and protein—or the presence of synthetic hormones.
For references, see State of the Evidence 2008.
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