Piglets stopped from stomaching zinc oxide
Thessaloniki prefectural authorities confiscated 25 tons of zinc oxide imported from Turkey that was destined to be used as a food additive in animal feed, authorities said yesterday. Zinc oxide is normally added to food given to piglets and is considered important for their growth. But the batch confiscated contained lead levels well above allowable limits. Dimitris Kouretas, associate professor at Thessaly University, said the lead could have entered the animals’ system and remained there for 20 years. «As a result, it (the lead) enters consumers and can cause serious neurological problems and mental disorders,» he said. Industry sources blamed the high lead levels on minerals that had not been properly cleaned.
