The company that is known for producing Viagra also dabbles in pharmaceuticals for animals. Pfizer makes a drug called 3-Nitro which is given to chicken to help them gain weight. The FDA reports that drug is being voluntarily pulled off the shelves. New studies show the drug contains arsenic, a carcinogen linked to cancer.
The move follows a recent FDA study of 100 broiler chickens that detected inorganic arsenic at higher levels in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared with untreated chickens. FDA officials stress that the levels of inorganic arsenic detected were very low and that continuing to eat chicken as 3-Nitro is suspended from the market does not pose a health risk. The FDA has no plans of recalling any chicken product.
The FDA pointed out that organic arsenic occurs naturally in the environment and is commonly found in water, air, soil and food.
“FDA detected increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with 
3-Nitro, raising concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen,” said Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods. “We are pleased to announce that the company is cooperating with us to protect the public health.”
The company will continue to sell the product for 30 days so farmers can find an alternative, and the company plans to help the FDA look into the problem. The drug, which has been used since the 1940s, is predominately found in broiler chickens and in some turkeys.
“Until recently, scientific evidence indicated that animals exposed to organic arsenic rapidly excrete the compound in its original form — as organic arsenic. FDA approved the product at doses and withdrawal times that, based on this available information, allowed for the safe and effective use of the product when used according to the label directions,” the agency said.
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