The move follows a recent FDA study of 100 broiler chickens that detected inorganic arsenic at higher levels in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared with untreated chickens. FDA officials stress that the levels of inorganic arsenic detected were very low and that continuing to eat chicken as 3-Nitro is suspended from the market does not pose a health risk.  The FDA has no plans of recalling any chicken product.

The FDA pointed out that organic arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and is commonly found in water, air, soil and food.

“FDA detected increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro, raising concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen,” said Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods. “We are pleased to announce that the company is cooperating with us to protect the public health.”

The company will continue to sell the product for 30 days so farmers can find an alternative, and the company plans to help the FDA look into the problem.  The drug, which has been used since the 1940s, is predominately found in broiler chickens and in some turkeys.

“Until recently, scientific evidence indicated that animals exposed to organic arsenic rapidly excrete the compound in its original form — as organic arsenic. FDA approved the product at doses and withdrawal times that, based on this available information, allowed for the safe and effective use of the product when used according to the label directions,” the agency said.

But don’t most people generally have healthy bones?  The problem of poor bone health is much larger than most people realize.  It is estimated that 1.5 million people suffer from bone disease-related fractures each year.  Additionally, projections show one in two Americans over the age of 50 will have, or be at high risk for developing, osteoporosis by 2020.  Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue, resulting in weak and fragile bones.  Nearly 10 million people already have osteoporosis in the U.S.

Many think that osteoporosis and other bone-related issues are problems only affecting elderly women.  However, because peak bone density is reached at approximately age 25, the damage from osteoporosis begins much earlier in life.  This highlights the importance of building strong bones at an early age. 

How do you build strong bones?  Even though bone development in childhood is extremely important, there are many things people can do, from childhood into old age, to promote bone health.  Making sure to get adequate calcium intake is quite possibly the most critical element in the development of strong, healthy bones.  Low-fat milk is a great source of calcium, but supplements can help individuals reach their daily requirement of calcium.  Many nutrients are important for bone health, which makes eating a well-balanced diet important for healthy bones.  Vitamin D also aids with bone health, and is also available in supplement form for those who don’t get enough Vitamin D from their diet and from sun exposure. 

Physical activity is also critical for building and maintaining bone mass.  Basic activities like walking, running, and jumping, and team sports like basketball and soccer, are great ways for kids and teens to increase bone mass.  Adults can enhance bone health by doing weight-bearing activities such as hiking, stair-climbing or playing sports.  It is also important for adults to do non-weight-bearing activities like yoga.  In addition to physical activity and a healthy diet, other lifestyle choices promote bone health, like not smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight.

It is never too late to adopt a bone-healthy lifestyle.  You only get one skeleton, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure good lifetime skeletal health.