January 2, 2013

Maryland becomes the first state to ban an arsenic additive in chicken feed which is among the new state laws to take on Tuesday (Jan 8).

Last year, state lawmakers passed a bill banning the use of Roxarsone, a chemical used to help the birds grow and fight parasites.

Pfizer Inc., which distributes Roxarsone, stopped selling the chemical in July after a US Food and Drug Administration study found higher levels of inorganic arsenic in chicken treated with the additive than those that were not. Arsenic is a known carcinogen.

Opponents said the measure was not needed because the company voluntarily suspended sales of the product.