Leading manufacturer of horse feeds in the SA horseracing industry, Afresh Brands KZN Pty Ltd issued a press release on Monday noting with concern that certain horses are reported to have tested positive for Zilpaterol in KZN during May 2021.
They state that Zilpaterol is a synthetic substance used to promote muscle growth in beef cattle and is not used by Afresh Brands in any form in the manufacture of any of its animal feed ranges.
During the latter part of 2020, racehorses tested positive for Zilpaterol in Europe.
Investigations found the source of the Zilpaterol was contaminated molasses allegedly sourced from a supplier in South Africa.
The identity of the molasses supplier has never been publicly disclosed.
As far as we have been able to determine, molasses is the only potential source of Zilpaterol in feeds.
As a result of the positive Zilpaterol findings in Europe, Afresh Brands implemented the following plans of action:
1.Increased testing on molasses sourced by us and on our feeds for the presence of Zilpaterol;
2.Engaging with local suppliers of molasses and obtaining guarantees from such suppliers that molasses supplied to us is Zilpaterol free;
3.We offered a specially formulated range of molasses-free horse feeds to the market.
We have warranties in place from all our current molasses suppliers that we are using acceptable products. We are confident that all our feeds are free of Zilpaterol.
We are aware that the NHA have been in contact with trainers regarding the positive Zilpaterol in May 2021.
At this stage the facts are too thin for us to comment and we await further information. We are, however, committed to our products and will stand by our customers irrespective of what unfolds.
It is imperative for the integrity of the horseracing industry in South Africa that the NHA engages with all stakeholders in the industry to identify the potential source of Zilpaterol positive findings.
Afresh Brands commits itself to cooperate fully with the NHA in such a process.
The quality of our products is of the utmost importance.
We would like to assure our loyal customers, and the horseracing industry at large, that Afresh Brands is committed to producing horse feed from our mills in Cape Town and Durban in a horse-friendly environment with no antibiotics, animal hormones or ionophores allowed on site.
As an organisation, we pride ourselves on the stringent use of an internationally recognised quality management system and sourcing the finest ingredients.
Ed – The Sporting Post has been reliably informed that notices have been issued to trainers in regard to the Zilpaterol positives referred to in the release. Efforts to contact Afresh Brands KZN Managing Director Shane Williamson were unsuccessful.
