The action follows the detection of the banned beef performance enhancer, Zilpaterol, in some batches of the company’s equine feed products in France last week.
"In line with the precautionary approach taken by Gain on this issue to date, we have placed a temporary hold on the sale of a limited number of bagged ruminant feed product lines. This move has been made as a precautionary measure as an in-depth investigation continues and pending the receipt of further laboratory tests," said the company in a statement emailed to us.
Gain Animal Nutrition was first alerted to the potential issue following positive test results from samples taken by France Galop on Friday, October 2, from some horses fed on its products.
Intensive testing of its equine feed ranges, batches and individual ingredients has been underway, round the clock, since then.
It said that it continues to work closely with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to investigate the presence of the unapproved feed supplement identified in its horse feed products.
Gain said the probe has already made “significant progress.”
Test results on equine feed samples received by it to date indicate that zilpaterol was detected but at very low levels.
Gain bulk ruminant feed, both pellets and coarse, continue to be available delivered direct to farm and purchased via the usual sales channels. Bagged feed is also being manufactured and delivered direct, added the company.
"We are not requesting our ruminant customers to take any action with their current stock of ruminant feed already purchased."
Zilpaterol is used as a veterinary drug in cattle to enhance growth performance in a number of countries such as the US, Canada and Mexico, but it is prohibited in the EU.
“It has never formed part of any formulation in any Gain Animal Nutrition ranges,” said the producer.