Federal health regulators on April 8 took action to revoke the approval of a certain swine drug over worries that it could potentially leave traces of carcinogenic residue in pork, negatively affecting human health.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re-investigated the safety of an antibiotic called carbadox and concluded that there could be potential risk from eating pork from hogs treated with the drug.

During the re-examination, the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) found that pork liver, which is used to produce hot dogs, liverwurst, lunchmeat, and other types of sausages, may be particularly risky to consume.

Carbadox, manufactured by New Jersey-based Phibro Animal Health, combats infections in pigs such as bacterial enteritis and swine dysentery.

Approved in 1972, the drug can also be used to support faster weight gain in pigs. It is sold under the brand name Mecadox and is not used in human medicine.

Officials from Phibro insist that the drug is safe.

"Mecadox has been approved and sold in the United States for more than 40 years," the company said in a statement. "It is a widely-used treatment for controlling bacterial diseases."

The FDA has asked Phibro for additional information and scientific data to demonstrate the safety of the swine drug, but the company has yet to submit any evidence.

Michael Taylor, the agency's Foods and Veterinary Medicine deputy commissioner, said that as a result, the CVM is taking legal action to remove the drug from the marketplace.

Phibro said it is undertaking comprehensive research using the most advanced technology available to confirm the safety of the drug.

The company said studies are expected to be completed in the next 90 days, adding that the remaining evidence will support the continued safe use of carbadox.

Tom Burkgren of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians said it is not clear whether other products will be as effective as carbadox in remedying gut problems in swine, but the industry has to adjust if the Phibro drug gets removed.

There are other FDA-approved antibiotics available to producers to treat pigs, the agency said.

Meanwhile, Phibro will request a hearing on the matter in the next 30 days to refute allegations. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf will then decide whether it is justified.

In October 2015, the World Health Organization revealed that pork products and processed meat such as bacon, burgers and sausages may possibly be as cancerous as cigarettes.

Photo : Liz West | Flickr