The rendering industry is asking for veterinarians’ help in euthanization of livestock.
The FDA has determined that pentobarbital is a hazard in ingredients fed to pets and other animals and that animals euthanized with pentobarbital cannot be rendered to make food for pets, poultry, and livestock. The FDA has a zero tolerance for pentobarbital in animal food. For euthanized livestock or other large animals to be rendered, non-chemical forms of euthanisia must be used per the FDA. Using pentobarbital for animal euthanasia is a problem because a renderer cannot distinguish animals that dies by chemical euthanisa from those that dies from other causes.
However, in some cases, it may be necessary to use pentobarbital. The National Renderer’s Association is asking veterinarians to clearly identify pentobarbital-euthanized livestock and other large animals by prominently marking the head with a large “P” using fluroscent orange colored “All-Weather Paintstik.”
Livestock owners and veterinarians responsible for unintentional poisonings may be held liable and subject to fines and/or criminal prosecution under federal laws. Rendering companies in some areas may be forced to curtail animal mortality collection practices to comply with FDA regulations if they are unable to demonstrate that their preventive efforts are effective at controlling pentobarbital.
More information:
December 2019 letter from Darling Ingredients, Inc.
