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Like you, we want to understand how our food is grown and raised.
Here, we share information to help you make informed decisions about your beef choices.
Yes. It's safe to eat the beef from cattle fed Zilmax. More than 30 years of research and development, as well as rigorous testing, support the safety of Zilmax. The FDA reviewed this research and concluded that beef from cattle fed Zilmax is safe.1
Yes. Consumers like you sampled and enjoyed steaks from cattle fed Zilmax in the largest grilled steak taste-test study ever. The results showed that consumers rated beef from cattle fed the supplement as flavorful, tender and juicy2 – the same when compared to beef from cattle that were not fed the supplement.
Zilmax is an FDA-approved feed supplement. It helps cattle convert what they eat into more lean beef1,4,5 that is consistently flavorful, tender and juicy.2,3 With Zilmax, farmers can raise more beef from fewer cattle – and that helps keep beef affordable.1,7
Despite years of safe use, a question was recently raised about Zilmax's impact on animal well-being. While we are confident in Zilmax and its track record of safety, we felt it was the right thing to voluntarily suspend sales in the United States and Canada while we investigate this question.
Yes. The FDA, Canadian Food Inspection Authority and other international scientific authorities have approved Zilmax as a safe and effective feed supplement for cattle.1
It's all about supply and demand. Without Zilmax, the supply of boneless beef in the U.S. has been reduced by about 105 semi-loads per week. That's more than enough beef to supply the weekly demand of more than 4.3 million people in the U.S.6
Listen to Richard Raymond, M.D., former USDA Food Safety Undersecretary.
We all do. Zilmax helps farmers provide beef that is:
A recent FDA Zilmax approval allows cattle farmers a more convenient and efficient method of feeding this supplement.
Yes. Zilmax is approved for use in most of the major beef producing countries. Its first use dates back 20 years.
Listen to Chance Brooks, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Meat Science at Texas Tech University, explain results from consumer taste panels.
No. Most consumers participating in taste panels could not detect a difference between steaks from cattle fed Zilmax and steaks from cattle not fed Zilmax.2
Animal scientists from the USDA and these seven independent universities evaluated Zilmax's impact on the key indicators of animal well-being:
Zilmax helps farmers conserve our natural resources8 because they can provide more beef with fewer cattle. Fewer cattle = less waste, and less use of energy, land and water.9
More than 65 animal safety and well-being studies – evaluating 182,555 cattle – confirm Zilmax has no negative effect on animal well-being.1,10-20
Zilmax has a withdrawal period 3 days prior to slaughter. Not for use in animals intended for breeding. Do not allow horses or other equines access to feed containing zilpaterol. Do not use in veal calves. Not to be fed to cattle in excess of 90 mg zilpaterol/head/day in complete feed. If pen consumption of complete feed exceeds 26.5 lb/head/day (90% dry matter basis), zilpaterol should not be fed in complete feed.
For complete safety information, please refer to the product label.