Bone traces found in animal feed

SAMPLES of a compound feed taken recently at a manufacturer's premises were found on analysis to contain traces of fish bone and mammalian bone, the Department of Agriculture and Food disclosed yesterday.

On testing of the feed ingredients used to manufacture the compound feed, the source of the contamination was identified as distillers dried grains which had been imported from the United Sates between October 9-15.

The balance of the contaminated ingredient and all of the compound feed containing it on the manufacturers premises were impounded.

A total of 2,681 tonnes of the distillers dried grains was imported at that time. Of this 1,951 tonnes is still in store and has been impounded.

All six compound feed manufacturers who received delivery of this product have been notified to return the balance of the product on their premises to the importers.

They have also been asked to retain any compound feed containing the contaminated material and to recall any such compound feed sold to farmers and retailers. The department said it is investigating where the contamination of the distillers dried grains occurred and to this end is seeking details of the manufacture, transport and storage of the contaminated material before it arrived here.