Drugs Prohibited for Use in Food Animals in Canada

Because drugs given to farm animals leave residue in their tissues, government agencies legislate the use of drugs in food animals to protect the food supply. The list of drugs officially banned from Canada is shorter than that of the United States. However, Canadian farmers must comply with U.S. regulations if they want to sell their meat on the U.S. market.

Chloramphenicol

• Since 1997, Health Canada, the governmental agency charged with protecting the health of Canadians, has banned the use of chloramphenicol in any food animal. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asserts that this antibiotic is carcinogenic in humans.

5-Nitrofuran Compound

• In 1997, Health Canada added 5-nitrofuran compound to its list of banned drugs. Farmers and veterinarians cannot give this drug to any food-producing animal. 5-nitrofuran is an antibiotic and growth producing agent that is carcinogenic, according to Dennis Doose and Betty-Ann Hoener, researchers at the Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco.

Clenbuterol

• Clenbuterol reduces the percentage of fat and increases the percentage of muscle in an animal. This drug is highly dangerous if consumed. The United States Department of Justice reports that in China, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, acute illnesses appeared after individuals consumed meat with clenbuterol residues. Symptoms of these illnesses included muscular tremor, vomiting, increased heart rate, dizziness and fever.

5-Nitroimidazole

• Health Canada banned the use of 5-nitroimidazole in 2003. In farm animals this drug promotes growth and kills protozoa.

Diethylstilbestrol

• Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic estrogen. Health Canada banned its use in 2003. Studies have established that diethylstilbestrol causes cancer in humans.

Exogenous Estrogenic Substances

• Health Canada prohibits the use of exogenous estrogenic substances in poultry. Estrogenic substances cause chickens to rapidly gain weight. The Copenhagen Group, which is made up of researchers affiliated with the Department of Growth and Reproduction in Copenhagen, found that these hormones are especially damaging to children's development.