MPA in Dutch pig feed: Your Questions Answered

February 14, 2004

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/faq/77698/

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What is the problem with Dutch pigs?

There are reports from the Netherlands that residues of the hormone Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (MPA) have been found in pig feed. Additional reports indicate that residues have also been found in pigs. While the levels detected to date are not a cause for health concern, they are illegal.

What is MPA?

Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (MPA) is a synthetic hormone. It is the synthetic version of the natural steroid hormone progesterone. In the EU it is banned for growth promotion uses, but is authorised for limited veterinary use in ewes.

What does MPA do?

MPA acts like the natural hormone progesterone in the body. It can be used to prevent conception. In humans it can be used in hormone replacement therapy for women going through menopause and as a contraceptive in birth control pills.

How did MPA get into the pig feed?

The hormone is thought to have been present in glucose syrup, a raw material used to make up pig feed. The syrup was supplied by a specific producer (no longer in operation) to farmers. Investigations by the EU and the Dutch authorities are continuing to determine how the glucose syrup became contaminated.

Are people at risk through exposure to MPA?

People will not be affected at the levels detected in pigs. At a much higher concentration MPA could affect a woman’s ability to conceive, although, as with the Pill, the effects of any MPA exposure would be short-lived. The Agency is not, at this stage, advising any group against the consumption of pig meat/pork products from the Netherlands. It is not thought that there are any particular sensitive groups within the population.

How did the problem first emerge?

In pigs MPA can act as a contraceptive. The problem first emerged when a drop in pig fertility occurred on a Dutch farm.

Has the UK imported affected Dutch pig feed or Dutch pig meat/pork products?

There is no indication that any affected pig feed has been imported into the UK. It is unlikely that bulk sugar products for feed (such as glucose syrup) are imported, since the UK produces this product for domestic use. However, the Dutch are the world’s third largest exporter of pigs and the UK imports pig meat/pork products from the Netherlands.

What action is the Agency taking?

The Agency is alerting both the food and animal feed industries to the problem. We have asked them to ensure that any Dutch pig meat/pork products or pig feed imported in the future into the UK are free from MPA residues.

Is the Agency advising consumers not to eat Dutch pig meat/pork products?

The levels of MPA detected in the Netherlands while illegal are not a cause for health concern. Thus, on the basis of the information available, the Agency is not advising against the consumption of Dutch pig meat/pork products. Further information and advice will be issued as necessary.

Could people be affected over the long term?

No. Exposure will only occur for a short period of time for two reasons. Firstly, the Dutch authorities are testing all pigs at slaughter in order to prevent any more contaminated meat entering the food chain. Secondly, MPA has a half-life of only 3-4 days so the residues in the animal will decrease rapidly.

How much contaminated pig meat from the Netherlands would you have to eat to be affected by MPA?

On the basis of levels of MPA found in pigs in the Netherlands, consumers would need to eat tens of kilograms of contaminated pig meat daily to experience any adverse effects. Levels found in contaminated pig meat were 100 times lower than levels shown to cause hormonal effects in laboratory animals.

What about the recent HRT scare of 10 July 2002? Will it have an additive effect on the hormones I am already taking?

It is highly unlikely that anyone on HRT will be able to eat sufficient amounts of meat to experience an additive effect.

How long will the contraceptive effects last?

We do not expect there to be any effects.

If there is no risk to human health, why are these hormones banned in animal feed in the EU?

The use of all hormones for growth promotion purposes is banned in the EU.

How can I tell if my pork products come from the Netherlands? Will it tell me on the label?

People who want to know where the meat or animal produce they are buying comes from should read the label, though this may not always stipulate the country of origin. With the exception of beef, there is generally no requirement to label meat or animal products with their country of origin if they are produced in the EU. If in doubt, ask the retailer.

Can we be sure that soft drinks contaminated with MPA are not entering the UK?

The Agency is aware of reports from Belgium that contaminated glucose syrup may have been supplied to Belgian producers of soft drinks. The major producers of soft drinks, Coca Cola, Pepsi, and the supermarkets have said that they did not purchase glucose syrup from this supplier. So far there is no indication that any of the potentially contaminated glucose syrup has been supplied to the food and drink industry in the UK. The Agency has written to manufacturers of soft drinks and confectioneries to request that all raw materials and products are MPA-free.

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