Two Alberta feed companies have recalled animal feed supplements after high levels of dioxin were found in the zinc oxide imported from the United States, said a Canadian Food Inspection Agency officer.
Tom Spiller, feed program officer with CFIA, said the agency is working with feed companies to find any feed supplement into which the zinc oxide may have been mixed.
Zinc oxide is a registered source of the essential mineral zinc required in all livestock and human diets.
The zinc oxide was used in a pre-mix, which in turn was used as a feed supplement for livestock. Since the CFIA became aware of the elevated dioxin levels Jan. 22, most of the feed supplement had already been used in animal feed.
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“There’s the possibility of bag lots still in farmers’ possession,” said Spiller.
A finding of elevated dioxin levels in random sampling of U.S. catfish initiated the original investigation that traced the contamination to a source of zinc oxide used to make fish feed.
Dioxin is naturally occurring, but can build up in fatty tissues of the body.
“Exposure to minute amounts won’t cause any harm to livestock,” said Spiller.
Throughout the year CFIA collects random samples of food for testing. Dioxin has not been detected in the samples in the past year, but the most recent samples from Alberta are being placed on a priority list for sampling to test for elevated levels of dioxin in animal products like meat or milk.
Spiller expects all the products to be recalled and collected by Feb. 17.
