Silent Side Dishes: The Stealth of Ractopamine

Did you know that with almost every serving of turkey and pig meat dished out this holiday season – and all year long – there’s a stealthy side of drugs that are banned in the European Union and even China, but not the US?  It’s called Ractopamine. And it’s even in your bacon, which reaches its record-setting consumption rate during the holidays in America.

Ractopamine is used on factory farmed because, quite simply, it makes animals fatter. It converts feed into fat in turkeys, pigs and cattle. Often branded under the names “Topmax” and “Optaflexx” (both manufactured by Elanco), this stuff is pumped into turkeys up until the moment they are slaughtered, because there is no mandatory withdraw period from the drug.

That means if you’re eating turkey this holiday season, you’re probably getting a nice smattering of Racto, too. Not only has this drug recently been taken to court for its environmental desecration, but it’s also not all that great for the animals getting stuck with it OR the humans eating them.

The Ractopamine label states boldly that it is “NOT FOR HUMAN USE,” which should be reason enough not to consume it. But in case you need another reason to avoid this atrocious addition to your holiday table, according to an NBC News Report, “Ractopamine has sickened or killed over 218,000 pigs… more than any other drug on the market.” The animals trembled, became paralyzed, and often died; and all because in America, bigger means better.

This holiday season, give turkeys and pigs something to be thankful for. Skip the slab-of-meat-with-a-side-of-racto and start a new tradition. Our Holiday Guide to puts compassion at the center of your family feast by leaving meat off of your plates and is a perfect place to start a healthier, happier life.

Bon apetit!