Does using arsenicals raise the level of naturally occurring arsenic in chicken?
No. Repeated studies have shown that the infrequent use of the feed ingredient Roxarsone (which contains a form of naturally occurring arsenic) does not change the levels of arsenic found in chicken. When used, we follow all federally regulated safe usage practices, including withdrawal procedures, to ensure product safety. These practices require that chickens are weaned from feed additives (such as Roxarsone) well before processing. Withdrawal periods are verified through extensive research trials and typically far exceed the time it takes for feed additives to pass through the chickens’ systems. Our compliance is continuously verified by a sampling program carried out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
