Weise, E. (April 2, 2004). Growth hormones in veal spark debate. USAToday, 1B.

Veal calves (90%) in the USA are being fed trenbelone acetate, an illegal practice. While steers and farmed animals are legally fed with steroids and growth hormones in the form of time-release implants, the practice is not sanctioned with veal (calves slaughtered at 20 weeks). Whether or not the steroids and hormones are harmful to humans has not been determined.

Implication. Fat-soluble steroids and hormones have been shown to be transferable to humans and other mammals upon consumption. It is likely that some positive drug tests for athletes are due to meat consumption, particularly when consumption is high as part of a high-protein diet.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.