Tuesday, 06 October 2020
In recent days, GAIN Equine Nutrition has released updates relating to a contaminant in some batches of thier range fo feeds which users should be aware of.
2 October 2020: GAIN Equine Nutrition wishes to advise that it is investigating the potential presence of a contaminant in some batches of our equine feed range.
Until further investigations are completed, GAIN customers are advised to refrain from feeding our equine products to their animals.
The contaminant, Zilpaterol, is a synthetic beta-agonist approved for use as a performance-enhancer in some beef production systems outside of the EU.
It is important to stress that this synthetic substance has never formed part of any formulation in any of our animal nutrition ranges.
A potential issue was first alerted to us based on positive test results from France Galop from some horses fed on our products in France.
Following receipt of this information, our quality and control team immediately commenced testing our feed products, both retained samples and also product in the market.
Immediately on receipt of a positive test result on some individual feed samples this morning, Friday 2 October, we commenced the process of notifying all the relevant authorities and customers. We are working closely with all appropriate agencies, including the Irish Department of Agriculture, to fully investigate the source of this contamination.
We will provide a more detailed update once more information is available.
Martin Ryan, Head of GAIN Equine said: “We apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed. A thorough investigation and trace back of all feed ingredient sources is underway as a matter of urgency to determine how this external contaminant could have found its way into some batches of our equine product.”
5 October 2020: Following a weekend of intensive testing and data analysis, GAIN Equine Nutrition wishes to provide an update on the investigation into the presence of a contaminant identified in our equine feed range.
We have made significant progress in our investigation and are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), who are the regulatory body responsible for the feed sector in Ireland.
Following consultation with DAFM, we have re-commenced equine feed production and will be in contact with our customers regarding resumption of feed supply.
We continue to ask our equine customers to refrain from feeding their current stock of GAIN Equine products to their animals.
We again apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed.