Is ractopamine safe for humans?

Ractopamine, a substance used in the U.S. to make pigs leaner, is controversial regarding its safety. It remains in the meat at levels up to 20% after processing, leading to potential health concerns. As a result, many countries, including in the EU, Russia, China, and Taiwan, have banned its use in food animals. Despite these international bans, the U.S. continues to allow ractopamine, highlighting differences in safety standards and regulatory approaches 1 2.