Mission:
The mission of the Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Research Unit is to develop ways to reduce the negative impact of foreign chemicals in food producing animals and in the processing of food. Chemicals under investigation may have been introduced to the food supply either environmentally (environmental pollutants or natural toxins) or as a result of agricultural practices [pesticides, antibiotics, feed additives veterinary drugs, or biologically active compounds (BACs)]. Our research investigates the presence of foreign compounds in the food chain and how animals "process," or metabolize, foreign compounds within their bodies andhow they excrete or retain compounds in their tissues. This knowledge has, and is, being used by regulatory agencies, agricultural industries, and scientific communities to ensure the public a safe food supply.