Zilpaterol placed on food additive committee assessment list

Zilpaterol hydrochloride, the active ingredient of Merck Animal Health's animal feed supplement Zilmax, has been put forward to the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives for assessment to establish an Acceptable Daily Intake and Maximum Residue Levels for cattle tissues.

The review, based on internationally recognized food safety standards, would ensure cattle farmers and consumers worldwide about the safety of this technology and facilitate the import and export of beef from animals supplemented with Zilmax, according to Merck. The company continues to register Zilmax in many countries and continents, including a recent registration for Brazil.