THE REGULATORY STATUS OF XYLAZINE FOR USE IN FOOD-PRODUCING ANIMALS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Xylazine is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a tranquillizer or adjunct to surgical anaesthesia. Although its use is approved in comp anion animals and certain species of deer, xylazine remains unapproved for use in food-producing animals in the United States. This paper re views existing toxicological and residue chemistry information on xyla zine in food animals, particularly cattle, and discusses the regulator y status of the drug in the US, as well as the conclusions reached by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in its recent eva luation of xylazine.