Answer: Yes — Estradiol-17 beta is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: beef.
TL;DR: Estradiol-17 beta is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (hormones).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
CAS 50-28-2.
Other names: 17-beta estradiol, oestradiol
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | beef |
| CAS number | 50-28-2 |
Estradiol-17 beta is a natural estrogen used as a growth implant in US beef cattle.
Producers use it to increase weight gain, milk output or feed efficiency.
Banned in the EU since 1989; classified as a complete carcinogen by EU scientific committees.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Estradiol-17 betawith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
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Yes — Estradiol-17 beta is banned in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
Estradiol-17 beta is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Independent reviews flag Estradiol-17 beta for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
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