MSD Animal Health’s zilpaterol to be assessed by JECFA

MSD Animal Health has announced that zilpaterol hydrochloride, the active ingredient of its cattle feed supplement Zilmax, has been put forward for priority assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has recommended the compound for review to help establish an acceptable daily intake and maximum residue levels for cattle tissues.

This would help to provide assurance to cattle farmers and consumers worldwide about the safety of this technology and facilitate the sale of beef from animals supplemented with Zilmax.

MSD Animal Health's product is designed to help cattle's natural metabolism to enable the animals to more efficiently produce meat.

Barbara Freischem, executive director of the International Federation for Animal Health, said: "The CAC has provided much needed assurance to our industry that it will follow its rules of procedure in the setting of global food safety standards for the benefit of consumers around the world."

Last month, the manufacturer announced positive data from a study of its new treatment for Schmallenberg virus, which is aimed at the cattle and sheep production market.