Risk Profiling of Beta-agonists in the Consumption of Pork by the Filipino Consuming Population

Abstract

Beta-agonists (β-agonists) are feed additives used in animal production (20–40 d before slaughter) to simultaneously reduce fat gain and increase the muscle mass of animals, but the residues may remain in the tissues of animals if the withdrawal period is not observed. This is a concern due to the potential adverse health effects to humans symptomized by increased heart rate, palpitations, vasodilation, and reflex tachycardia. This study described the potential risks associated with the consumption of pork with β-agonists to the Filipino pork-consuming population through the risk profiling process. Specifically, it consolidated the available information and determined the data gaps relevant to the risk profiling process, including available risk management options for β-agonist residues in pork. The study identified and characterized β-agonist as the hazard and pork as the concerned commodity. The risk was estimated through the evaluation of β-agonist residue concentrations in pork kidneys and pork meat from the National Veterinary Drug Residue Monitoring Program of the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service and the pork consumption data of the adult Filipino consuming population from the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute in consideration of identified uncertainties, variabilities, and assumptions. The mean and maximum dietary exposures of the adult Filipino consuming population, with an assumed average body weight of Asian adults, to β-agonists in pork meat (0.0111 and 0.1478 μg/kg bw) and pork kidney (0.0166 and 0.4847 μg/ kg bw) were estimated to exceed 100% of the acceptable daily intake of clenbuterol (0–0.004 μg/kg bw). These results indicate that there is an appreciable risk to the health of the Filipino population when it comes to the consumption of pork contaminated with β-agonists.