WASHINGTON (FOX5NY) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to combat flatulence in livestock.
The drug, called Experior, cuts down on an animal's ammonia gas emissions, which can cause atmospheric haze and noxious odors (of course), according to the FDA. High concentrations of ammonia can irritate a human's and an animal's eyes, nose, and throat.
"These ammonia gasses can come from many sources and can affect the health of people, animals and the environment," Dr. Steven Solomon, the director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a news release. "[W]e're encouraged to see innovations that provide additional benefits to animals, people and the environment."
Ammonia gases can contribute to a process causing algae blooms to block sunlight to aquatic plants, eventually leading to the death of fish and marine life due to a lack of oxygen in the water.
The FDA said that studies showed that Experior is safe to feed to beef cattle and that meat from cattle taking the drug is safe to eat.