US poultry plants question Russian ban

US chicken companies are questioning Russia's ban of chicken as two companies do not use the drugs that Russia claimed to have found in chicken, company officials said on Monday (Mar 23).

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) said last week Russia banned chicken imports from three US plants, including one owned by Tyson Foods Inc,the largest US chicken producer, and one owned by fourth largest poultry producer Sanderson Farms Inc.

Russia also banned chicken from Peco Foods Inc's Canton, Mississippi, plant.

Sanderson Farms chief executive officer Joe Sanderson said Russian officials claimed to have found residue of the antibiotic oxytetracycline and another drug nicarbazine in chicken imported from Sanderson's Hammond, Louisiana plant.

Sanderson said that they were using neither of those products.

Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said that based on preliminary information, the Russians claimed to have found traces of an antibiotic that is not even used by Tyson Foods.

He also said the company is awaiting more details from Russia regarding the ban.