Does horsemeat endanger human health?
Date: 18.3.2013
The scandal of horsemeat in food articles induced different attitudes of people depending on their nationality and tradition. While in the UK eating of horsemeat is outrageous, in Belgium, for example, you can eat a salad with the meat of these animals.
The problem of illegal traces of horses in foodstuffs may potentially constitute a health hazard. The threat for humans ingesting horse meat stems from the possibility of the phenylbutazone presence. This substance, also called bute, is a type of non-steroidal inflammatory drugs. It was introduced on the market in 1949 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Unfortunately, bute was found to be toxic for bone marrow and the exposition on this compound can lead to aplastic anaemia. Genotoxic and carcinogenic potential is also examined...
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