New Delhi, Jul 7 (IANS): The United Nations food standards body, Codex Alimentarius Commission, has agreed on a set of residue limits for the veterinary drug ractopamine for animals, a statement from the body said here Saturday.

The drug, used as a growth promoter in cattle, also helps in keeping pigs lean.

"The Member States of Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted maximum residue limits for the amount of the drug allowed in the tissues of pigs and cattle," the statement from the Commission in Rome said.

"The decision was made after a rigorous process of scientific assessment to ascertain that the proposed levels of residues have no impact on human health," the statement said.

The assessment was carried out by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, a group of independent experts convened by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) that provides scientific support to Codex.

The Commission reached a decision through a vote, carried out in accordance with the rules and procedures.

"The limits were approved with 69 votes for, 67 against, and seven abstentions," the statement said.

"The ractopamine limits set by the Commission are 10 micrograms per kilogram of pig or cattle muscle, 40 micrograms per kilogram in liver, and 90 micrograms per kilogram of the animals kidneys, it added.