Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Summer Wine]

Quote:

Can Hormones and Antibiotics Be Used in Lamb Raising? Zeronal, a synthetic hormone, may be used to promote efficient growth in feedlot lambs. The hormone is implanted on the lamb's ear and is time released for about 30 days. A withholding period of 40 days is required before slaughter. Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat disease in lambs. A recommended withholding period is required from the time antibiotics are administered until it is legal to slaughter the animal. This is so residues can exit the animal's system. FSIS randomly samples lamb at slaughter and tests for residues at limits set by the Food and Drug Administration. Data from this monitoring program have shown a very low percentage of residue violations.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Lamb_from_Farm_to_Table/index.asp

Some of the points they discuss on the site make me understand why the US lamb industry feels it needs to protect its market.

Grain feeding, growth hormones, indoor housing. Wow, I didn't know Lambs needed such tender care.

Some of my countries lambs were tougher than steel and a few of them deserved every thing they got in the freezing works.

Though I would hesitate eating growth hormone fed sheep, as you wonder what impact it has on the meat. Or this following point raises my curiosity

Quote:

Dating of Lamb Products Product dating is not required by Federal regulations. However, many stores and processors may voluntarily date packages of raw lamb or processed lamb products. If a calendar date is shown, immediately adjacent to the date must be a phrase explaining the meaning of that date such as "sell-by" or "use before." Except for "use-by" dates, product dates don't always refer to home storage and use after purchase. "Use-by" dates usually refer to best quality and are not safety dates. But even if the date expires during home storage, a product should be safe, wholesome and of good quality � if handled properly and kept at 40� F or below. If the product has a "use-by date," follow that date. If the product has a "sell-by" date or no date, cook or freeze the product by the recommendations in the "Storage Times" section of this publication.