Taiwan's Council of Agriculture is investigating the alleged use of copper sulfate in animal feed in response to a report that four feed companies may have bought the additive and that contaminated meat may already be on the market.
According to reports, the companies bought the copper sulfate from Taoyuan County-based AmiA Co. Prosecutors are investigating whether AmiA violated the Feed Control Act and the Veterinary Drugs Control Act, while AmiA says it did not sell copper sulfate to feed companies or poultry farmers. Copper sulfate can act as an antibacterial agent for animals and can aid in their digestion. While the possibility of overdosing on the substance, which can cause anemia or damage the liver when taken in large amounts, is low, it is possible for it to accumulate in chickens, pigs and in the human body.
