Coalition Implores FDA Commissioner to End Decades-Long Delay, and Ban Carcinogenic Drug Outlawed Around the World

The Consumer Federation of America joined consumer, public health, animal welfare, and foodborne illness victims' advocates in urging FDA Commissioner Martin Makary to ban the carcinogenic swine feed additive carbadox. The move would bring United States regulations into conformity with those in countries including the EU, UK, Canada, China, Australia, Brazil and Japan. In 2005, FDA notified carbadox's manufacturer that its test for carcinogenic residues from the drug was inadequate. In the two decades since, the agency has knowingly allowed Phibro Animal Health and its hog farmer clients to expose U.S. consumers to a "significant increased risk of cancer." During that time, industry lawyers have racked up fees exploiting procedural loopholes to indefinitely delay action on the drug. Yet another hearing request is currently before the agency. The groups' letter asks Dr. Makary to act on his pledge to "apply gold-standard science and common sense" and give consumers the protection they deserve against this dangerous drug.