PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS OF HORSEMEAT

PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS OF HORSEMEAT

by | Feb 22, 2023 | American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, Ban Horse Slaughter, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Food Safety, CFIA, Contact your MP, EU, Europe, home page blog, Horse meat, Horse meat human consumption, Horse Meat Recall, Horse Meat Sausages, Horse Meat Veal, Horse Racing, Horse Slaughter, Horses slaughtered for meat, Inhumane Transport, Overview, ST Patrick's Day, T.B. Racing, Toxic Horse Meat

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

Quotes are taken from a review published January 26, 2023, titled

A review of horses sent to slaughter for human consumption: impact of horsemeat consumption, residual banned drugs, and public health risks

…the exportation of American horses across both borders for the sole purpose of slaughter for human consumption must end.

Surely if more people in North America and the rest of the world realized that horses and other equines are slaughtered for human consumption in Canada and Mexico, the slaughter of all equines would be banned.

Horses slaughtered in Canada and Mexico include horses exported in leg-breaking trailers from the USA for as long as 3 days without food or water or vet care.

The horses slaughtered include a small percentage raised specifically for meat but the vast majority are pet horses, rodeo and racing “stock”.

In other words, horses that have at the very least been treated with wormers and, in many cases, other drugs that are not meant ever to enter the human food chain.

And before you think it doesn’t matter to you because you don’t eat horsemeat…

In 2015 a study at the University of Guelph, sponsored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that horsemeat shows up on Canadian grocery store shelves marked as other than horsemeat.

In other words, if you are Canadian and eating meat you may be eating toxic horsemeat without knowing it.

Perhaps even more disturbing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was quoted as saying, they were NOT surprised horsemeat is being sold in Canada marked as other than horsemeat. 

Food prices have risen dramatically since 2015, so it makes sense that food fraud may also be on the rise.  Purchasing a horse not raised for slaughter, a discarded pet or racehorse for example is far cheaper than buying beef cattle raised under strict protocols.

Keep reading to learn why millions of pounds of horsemeat produced in Canada is toxic.

Previous work showed that 18 Thoroughbred racehorses purchased by rescues that would have otherwise been sold for export for the sole purpose of slaughter to produce meat for human consumption were administered [highly toxic to humans] phenylbutazone.

“Horses are prone to developing musculoskeletal injuries due to their various roles including pleasure riding, hunter/jumper, racing, and other performance-type work.

The most common drug to treat musculoskeletal injuries in horses is phenylbutazone.

Based on the annual sales of phenylbutazone [commonly known as BUTE] in the United States, our group estimated that every adult horse receives at least 1 dose of phenylbutazone during its lifetime.

There are 500 pounds of dressed horsemeat per horse.

The number of American horses exported to Canada for slaughter in 2019 was 10,486; this translates into 5,243,000 pounds of dressed horsemeat.”

Given that the US Department of Agriculture does not have a system to remove horses administered banned substances from the slaughter pipeline, more than 5,000,000 pounds of dressed horsemeat sent to the EU and non-EU countries in 2019 were likely contaminated with banned substances.

“The FDA considers American horses as companion animals and as such all approved drugs can be administered. 

The “administration” of phenylbutazone or any other banned substance is not allowed in food-producing animals.

Both EU and non-EU governments have published a list of banned drugs and drugs with withdrawal periods.”

The magnitude of the issue is further complicated by the fact that Canadian residue testing represents less than 1% of the total carcasses tested.

You can read the full review from the American Veterinary Medical Association here.

Help support our efforts to ban the slaughter of horses for any purpose within Canada – including those imported from the USA. We are committed to supporting efforts to ban the export of horses from the USA for slaughter and… We’re also working to stop the inhumane live export of horses from Canada to markets like Japan for slaughter there.

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DEMAND AG MINISTER IMPLEMENT A REGULATORY AMENDMENT...

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, the current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has the power to end the inhumane export of horses by air for slaughter by enacting a regulatory amendment.

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

HORSE MEAT VERSUS BEEF

by | Mar 16, 2021 | FAQ1, home page blog, Horse meat, Horse meat human consumption, Horse Meat Recall, Horse Meat Sausages, Horse Slaughter, Overview, ST Patrick's Day, STOLEN HORSE STORIES

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EATING HORSE MEAT VERSUS CHICKEN, PORK, LAMB OR BEEF?

That is a fair question and one that those of us dedicated to ending the slaughter of horses in Canada and beyond, for human consumption, are frequently asked.

Let’s start by saying that many of our advocates have embraced the worldwide trend towards veganism.

Of course not everyone is vegatarian or vegan – or interesed in converting – we understand that.

But even so, there are many reasons why eating horses is different than eating meat from livestock that has been specifically raised to be slaughtered for meat.

 HORSES SLAUGHTERED FOR MEAT INCLUDE PETS

First, many, if not most, of the horses slaughtered in Canada are former pets and other horses, including racehorses,  that have routinely been treated with drugs that are not intended for use on animals entering the human food chain.

For example, wormers.  Ask your horse owning friends how often they worm their horses.

Most horse owners worm their horses at least twice per year, and wormers are generally marked with instructions that they are not to be used on any livestock to be consumed by humans.

Another drug that is also not meant to be used on livestock entering the human food chain is a drug horse owners refer to as “bute“. The proper name is phenylbutazone.

Bute is used to treat everything in horses from minor muscle aches to inflammation to abscesses of the hoof,  lameness, arthritis, and so much more.

Again, ask your horse owning friends, and chances are good, that at one time or another, they have used bute on their horses.

DRUG TAINTED TOXIC HORSE MEAT RECALLED FROM CANADIAN GROCERY STORE SHELVES

Recently there have been multiple recalls from Canadian supermarket shelves of horse meat contaminated with Clenbuterol, which like bute is highly toxic to humans.

And these types of recalls of drug tainted, toxic to humans horse meat have been going on for years.

For most people that’s enough to make them decide that eating horse meat is probably not a great idea.

BUT WAIT, THIS IS CANADA

There MUST be rules in place to make sure that horses treated with drugs, not meant to enter the human food chain are not slaughtered for human consumption – right?

Well, there are regulations in place.

The problem is, and the reason why drug tainted toxic horse meat ends up on Canadian supermarket and other store shelves — is that the rules are based on the honour system.

Those presenting horses to be slaughtered are asked to fill out an Equine Identification Document (EID) stating that the horse is rightfully owned by them, and that the horse is free of toxic drugs.

So meat AKA kill buyers picking up cheap horses from ads in the newspaper ,or online from sources like Kijiji, or Craig’s List, or from auctions, don’t have  full medical histories on the horses they are reselling for slaughter.  Yet, they fill out EIDs stating that the horses they are presenting are clear of any banned drugs.

The word of those presenting the horses is good enough for the slaughter houses.  Again, a form is filled out, on the honour system.

Hence the 2019 and 2020 recalls of drug tainted, toxic horse meat and…

Again, recalls have been going on for years..

This is far different than how other animals raised specifically for human consumption are regulated.

The industry is so poorly regulated that even stolen horses are slaughtered and butchered for meat, the same day they are sold to a slaughterhouse.  

Check out “Sold for Hamburger” and  “2 Pet Horses Stolen and Slaughtered for Human Consumption“.

YOU MAY BE EATING TOXIC HORSE MEAT WITHOUT KNOWING

A recent study by the University of Guelph showed Canadians eating meat, may be eating horse meat without realizing it.

The federal agency charged with keeping the food supply of Canadians safe, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was NOT surprised horse meat was found on Canadian grocery store shelves marked as other than horse meat.

Yes really.

Did you get that?

The CFIA were not surprised.  So is it any wonder as Canadians learn about pet horses and other horses not raised specifically for meat being slaughtered in Canada – and sold as food fit for humans, they are outraged.

 

HORSES MAY BE STRUNG UP WHILE STILL ALIVE

On February 27th, 2021 CTV’s W5 aired an Investigative Report on the inhumane live shipment of horses to Japan to be slaughtered there for human consumption.

Unlike horses slaughtered within Canada for human consumption, most of the horses that are live shipped to Japan  have been specifically raised for meat, The W5 program was titled “Flight Animals“.

Those of us who understand horses “got” that the title referred to horses being flown to Japan, and that there is another meaning.

Many animals when faced with danger will stand and fight, but horses are what are referred to as “flight” animals because when frightened they will do their best to flee. 

The fact that horses are flight animals is a huge problem when horses are in the process of being slaughtered within Canada, because as flight animals they will often seriously injure themselves as they attempt to flee, as they are about to be slaughtered…

And to make matters even worse, the methods used in Canada to slaughter horses were not designed specifically for horses, so they are not adequate to guarantee an instant death.  

This results in horses that are sometimes still alive when hung up by one leg,  to have their throats slashed, to be bled out.

I”ll spare you the gory videos here, but you can Google and visit YouTube to learn more.

WOULD YOU EAT DOGS OR CATS?

A recent Nanos poll shows that a majority of Canadians do not agree with the slaughter of horses for human consumption. — I think it is because many of us consider our horses to be family members, the same way we consider our cats and dogs family members, and the vast majority of Canadians, at least in my humble opinion, wouldn’t think for even a second, that it is appropriate to eat a cat or dog.

You can learn more about many of the points raised above, and about horse slaughter for human consumption — by clicking on the blog posts below…

And if you are as appalled by this barbaric practice, as the majority of Canadians are, please reach out to your Member of Parliament and let them know how you feel.

Spread the word to your friends in Canada, Europe and Japan that Canadian horse meat is full of drugs and chemicals that specify “not to be used on animals for human consumption”.

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

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DEMAND AG MINISTER IMPLEMENT A REGULATORY AMENDMENT...

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, the current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has the power to end the inhumane export of horses by air for slaughter by enacting a regulatory amendment.

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
YOU MAY BE EATING HORSE MEAT WITHOUT KNOWING

YOU MAY BE EATING HORSE MEAT WITHOUT KNOWING

by | Aug 4, 2017 | Bill C-355 extras, BOUVRY LICENSE SUSPENDED, Canada Day, Canadian Food Safety, Cindy, FAQ1, FAQs, Horse meat, Horse Meat Sausages, Horse Slaughter, Overview, ST Patrick's Day, STOLEN HORSE STORIES, University of Guelph

This blog post is worthy of a re-post.  You may also be interested in Happy Canada (Slaughters Horses) Day as well.

Why aren’t Canadian food inspectors surprised there’s horse meat in YOUR sausages? 

Beware, summer BBQ-ers: there could be horse meat in your pork sausage. Or pork in your beef sausage. Or beef in your chicken sausage. Or chicken (and only chicken) in your turkey sausage.

Those are some of the examples cited in a new study from researchers at the University of Guelph, which found 20 per cent of sausages sampled from Canadian grocery stores contained meats that were not on the label. The study was commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which, according to the Canadian Press, was “not surprised” by the results.

 

Read the full story in Maclean’s  https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/should-you-be-surprised-if-theres-horse-meat-in-your-pork-sausage/

Did you REALLY get that? Did you get that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is NOT surprised that horse meat shows up on Canadian grocery store shelves marked as beef or other meats? Are YOU okay with that?

CBC:  1 in 5 sausages tested across Canada contains different meat than labelled

Scientist calls degree of off-label ingredients alarming.

A federally funded study has found that 20 per cent of sausages sampled from grocery stores across Canada contained meats that weren’t on the label.

The study, published this week in the journal Food Control, was conducted by researchers at the University of Guelph and commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

It examined 100 sausages that were labelled as containing just one ingredient — beef, pork, chicken or turkey.

“About one in five of the sausages we tested had some off-label ingredients in them, which is alarming,” said Robert Hanner, lead author of the study and an associate professor with the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph.

Read the story at CBC

CTV:  Horse meat found in sausages at grocery stores across Canada

A study commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found that some sausages contain meats that isn’t listed on the label.

Researchers from the University of Guelph examined 100 sausages from grocery stores across Canada and found that one-in-five contained off-label ingredients, including horse meat.

Seven of 27 beef sausages examined in the study contained pork and one of 38 supposedly pure pork sausages contained horse meat.

Of 20 chicken sausages, four contained turkey and one had beef while five of the 15 turkey sausages studied contained no turkey at all — just chicken.

Lead study author Robert Hanner calls the results alarming.

He says researchers found that while beef sausages predominantly contain beef, some also have pork, which he says be of concern for kosher and halal consumers.

The food inspection agency says it’s not surprised about Hanner’s findings, but cautioned the study is small and it’s considering more research.

 

Read the full story at CTV.

TORONTO SUN:  The mystery meat behind your sausage.  Worried about the MANE ingredient?

A research team at University of Guelph pulled back the casing to find that products labelled as purely one meat — beef, pork, chicken or turkey — often contained other ingredients, including horse.

Associate Prof. Robert Hanner, of Guelph’s integrative biology department, said they’ve developed DNA-based methods to identify species — technology that’s been used in the past to expose global-level fraud in the seafood industry.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in the wake of Europe’s horse meat scandal of 2013, wanted to know if the university’s researchers could do similar work for mixed meat, he said.

A deeper dive into grocery store sausage found that 20% of the samples — all labelled as containing one type of meat — actually were a mix.

Some “all-beef” sausages included pork, turkey sausages were made out of less-expensive ground chicken, and one pork sausage was mixed with horse meat.

Researchers didn’t look at other types of meat, but it’s possible that bison, lamb or other species might have made their way into the sausages, Hanner said.

“Our labelling laws require you to put what’s in the product on the label,” said Hanner. “For me, this just points to some gaps in our traceability system that some of this off-label meat is getting through.”

In a time of global supply chains, it’s even more important to be able to track down where this cross-species contamination might be happening, he said.

A consumer might have an allergy to one type of meat, and there are Kosher and Halal considerations.

“If this is happening farther up the supply chain, where some of their suppliers aren’t declaring what’s in there, could it be because some of this meat is unfit for human consumption?” Hanner said. “And that’s where I kind of worry — why isn’t it on the label?”

For instance, Brazil is in the midst of a food processing scandal where it’s alleged companies paid off inspectors to allow the use rotting meat.

Hanner said DNA technology offers an opportunity for Canada to become a world leader in offering safe and reliable food.

Sylvain Charlebois, professor of food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University, said processed meat and seafood are the most likely candidates for food fraud.

“With fish and seafood, there’s a huge mess there. It’s probably the worst category,” Charlebois said. “We did a study a few months ago and fish and seafood is by far the most problematic food category when it comes to food fraud because there are so many species, so much confusion.”

In Canada, 25% to 75% of fish could be mislabelled, he said.

As for sausages, Charlebois said he’s surprised the amount of unidentified meat was so low — in some parts of Europe, upwards of 50% of sausages contain mystery meat.

That doesn’t mean this is nothing to worry about though, he noted.

“Particularly for those who make dietary decisions based on faith. If you actually are buying a sausage with pork in it, and you’re from the Jewish faith or you’re a Muslim, that’s quite problematic. It doesn’t matter if it’s 25% or 100% — you’re misleading the public and therefore it’s fraud.”

Other common forms of food fraud are products that are labelled organic or local, Charlebois said.

Two high-profile Ontario cases involved grown-in-Mexico “local” tomatoes and falsely-labelled Kosher cheese.

Within 10-20 years, consumers should be able to access affordable devices either in their homes or at their local stores that can confirm the contents, Charlebois predicted.

Food regulators in Canada are also growing increasingly confident about pursuing bad apples, he said.

“As you see more and more fines, industry will actually clean up its act.”

 

Read the full story on the Toronto Sun website.

So why is eating horse meat any different than eating any other kind of meat?

That’s a great question.

One of the first concerns is that most of the horses slaughtered within Canada for human consumption, whether butchered and shipped to other markets or consumed within Canadian borders have not been raised for specifically for meat.

Horses that have been raced, or are considered pet horses are routinely slaughtered. Most horses that fit these categories will have been treated with wormers at least twice per year, wormers that have very clear protocols about their use on livestock entering the human food chain.

They may also have been treated with a drug commonly known as bute, that is administered for a wide range of ailments in horses, everything from arthritis to hoof abscesses and so much more.

Ask any horse owner they’ll be able to tell you all about how often they worm their horse and experience with bute.

But surely there’s paper work to be presented before a horse is slaughtered in Canada – right?

Well, you are absolutely right but that paperwork is on the honour system.

Do you want to trust your health to a system that is based on the honour system, especially when there have been cases where stolen horses have been slaughtered?

HORSE MEAT VS. OTHER MEATS

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

DEMAND AG MINISTER IMPLEMENT A REGULATORY AMENDMENT...

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, the current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has the power to end the inhumane export of horses by air for slaughter by enacting a regulatory amendment.

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

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