Growth Hormones

I recently looked into the use of ‘steroids’ on humans, especially athletes and body builders. This led me to thinking if growth hormones are being used on commercial animal farms and the search results brought mixed feelings to me.

Being brought up in city state of Singapore all my life, I never used to think twice where my food came from other than the ‘wet’ market or the supermarket. The import of fresh produce would also mostly be from our neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and China. What are these packaged fresh products like prior to being harvested or packaged? Were they treated with lots of pesticides? Were the animals battery farmed or free range? We trust that our government’s food regulatory authority decides best for us but now that I reflect upon this issue, I believe there aren't strict regulations in these producing countries about farming other than that the produce must be ‘safe’ for human consumption.

It was reported that growth hormone substances, such as IGF-1 or rBST, has been used on cattle to improve the production outputs. Though not deem to have any impact on our body, I think the jury is still out. Not least scientific research is one side of the story, commercial marketing is another side of the story that influence our opinion on what we buy. I really have to investigate what I feed myself with.

Interesting articles for references:

Growth Hormones in Meat: Myths & Reality - Climbing Nutrition

Hormones in Animals - Body by Nature

Nearly Half of Australia's cattle is treated with growth hormones. Is it safe to eat? - The Guardian