So, how the heck does copper get into beef? (Interesting article linked)

And why is it so bad for us? Apparently Mexico rejected a shipment of American beef because of Cu levels.

link

I find it shocking that Mexico, of all places, which laces their children’s candy with lead, would have stricter standards than we do for metals in meat!

So, what’s up? Are the cows licking copper pipes? Is our land contaminated with tailings from copper mines? Bizarre!

Could be as simple as this:

From the feed. Copper IS a required mineral, after all. It HAS to be in the diet, unlike some of the other things mentioned that are not required for nutrition (antibiotics, pesticides).

What I am interested in knowing is the toxic levels of copper in humans, and if anybody has done a study on how to relate copper toxicity in humans with beef consumption. For example, how much beef with X amount of trace copper is needed to cause health problems in humans.

Too little copper and the animal can get paralysis, won’t thrive, and may die. Too much copper and you shot the liver down. Usually sheep are more susceptible than cattle.

I was about to ask for a cite on this statement, but found these easily:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/candy.htm
http://www.leadinmexicancandy.com/

Wow. Now, back to copper.

No one laces the candy with lead. That is absurd.

Why do so many people on this board need to post such false and inflamatory statements about México?

Not intentionally, certainly, but there have been some cases of candy imported from Mexico contaminated with dangerous levels of lead. Apparently a product in 2004-5 called “Chaca Chaca” and a product in 2009 called “Hola Pop”.

Accidental contamination is quite different from the absurd and offensive remark made in the OP.

Yes, we are heathens that purposely poison our children.

I can’t answer your question, but that indeed was a ridiculously absurd remark.

there could be intentionally

  1. i want to put this toxin in my product

  2. i will put this toxin in my product because i bought some contaminated feedstock and i don’t want to be out the cost of not using it

Clearly not. I think the whole thing, both the lead in the candy and the copper in the beef, goes to show that contamination can happen, and that it’s important for food safety and customs agents to be vigilant to make sure that tainted products don’t become available to the public.