The mRNA vaccines became a household term during the COVID-19 pandemic. But many are unaware that these experimental shots may be used in livestock intended for food.

Concerns that mRNA injections could end up “in the global protein supply chain” prompted warnings from cattle producers and calls for mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) so consumers can choose meat from countries that don’t allow mRNA shots in meat animals.

Backlash quickly ensued, with media spinning a familiar tune and trying to paint the valid concerns as “conspiracy theories,” “fearmongering” and “misinformation.”

Cattle groups call for caution over mRNA in beef

In an April news release, R-CALF USA, a nonprofit that represents the interests of independent U.S. cattle producers, shared concerns about the use of mRNA shots in meat animals.

Dr. Max Thornsberry, R-CALF’s animal health committee chair, met with medical doctors and a molecular biologist before briefing the R-CALF USA board:

“Thornsberry reported that some researchers have found that mRNA and its coded virus is likely passed from an injected human to a noninjected human, and to humans who have consumed dairy products or meat from an mRNA-injected animal.

“He said that because the research on mRNA is still in its infancy, no one really knows the full impact it has on either humans or animals, particularly its long-term impact. He said this itself warrants more extensive mRNA research focused on safety, heightened public vigilance, and greater transparency.”

In a commentary, R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard also urged caution regarding mRNA injections, stating:

“It’s not a vaccine as we typically understand vaccines. So, for the rest of this discussion, I’ll refer to it as an injection. It’s an injection of a laboratory-produced substance into humans or livestock that is coded with a particular virus, such as COVID-19, that produces an immune response against the particular virus.

“And what does mRNA do? Well, it hijacks living cells, tricking them into producing some level of immunity against human viruses like COVID-19 and livestock viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease. It does this by rewriting the instructions from the body’s DNA. And what are the potential risks to humans and livestock?

“The truthful answer is we don’t yet know the long-term effects of mRNA injections in either humans or livestock.

“There is great concern that living cells excrete the mRNA over time and the mRNA can then be transferred to animals and humans that have never received the mRNA injection. It is believed, for example, that humans can contact mRNA by eating meat from livestock that have received the injection.

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