RAJSHAHI, Sept 14 (BSS): A section of unscrupulous cattle farmers and traders are allegedly feeding and injecting their cattle Indian made steroid hormones to fatten up the sacrificial animals ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha in Rajshahi region.
These farmers and traders are feeding their cattle steroid hormones for fattening the animals in disregard of the hazards posing a serious threat to the public health.
Local livestock officials said that a number of greedy cattle farmers are allegedly using human drugs like Periactin Vita, Oradexon and Decason tablets belonging to dexa-methasone group, a kind of steroid, for rapid fattening of the sacrificial animals in short days before the Eid as they are out to earn windfall profit from cattle business during this time.
As a result, these cattle are being infected with various diseases. If people consume the meat of the affected cattle, they will also be infected with various diseases, the experts warned.
Dr Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Associate Professor of Medicine Department of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, said the steroid can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, skin rashes and headaches and is highly addictive.
It also weakens the immune system and leaves patients more susceptible to illnesses. There have been reports of young sex workers dying from over-use of the drug.
The banned steroid tablets are now being sold openly at the drug stores and grocery shops in Chapainawabgonj, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna and Sirajgonj. Shopkeepers term these tablets as 'red-white' pills.
The cattle owners said they fed their animals such tablets after hearing from people. Though the cattle became somewhat weak initially, they became fat subsequently. After one to two months, those cattle were sold. They said they follow the method as it is cheaper and easier.
Steroids being used for fattening cattle in Rajshahi region
FE Team | Published: September 15, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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