Antibiotic residue testing

Introduction

In the intricate world of food safety, there's an unseen danger that demands our attention – antibiotic residues. While antibiotics play a crucial role in human and animal health, their misuse in food production can lead to unintended consequences. Enter antibiotic residue testing, a vital component of ensuring the safety and integrity of the food we consume.

Understanding antibiotic residues

Antibiotics are commonly used in livestock farming to promote growth and prevent diseases. However, improper use or excessive administration can result in residues lingering in meat, milk, and other animal products. When these residues make their way into the human body through consumption, they pose a potential threat by contributing to antibiotic resistance – a global health concern.

Antibiotic residues in foods

Here are some types of antibiotic residues commonly encountered:

Antibiotic Class	Example Antibiotics	Food Sources	Potential Health Risks
Beta-lactams	Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin	Milk, Meat, Eggs	Allergic reactions
Tetracyclines	Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline	Milk, Meat, Eggs	Gastrointestinal upset, Discoloration of teeth
Macrolides	Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Azithromycin	Milk, Meat, Eggs	Gastrointestinal upset, Allergic reactions
Aminoglycosides	Gentamicin, Streptomycin, Neomycin	Meat	Kidney toxicity, Hearing loss
Sulfonamides	Sulfamethoxazole, Trimethoprim	Milk, Meat, Eggs	Allergic reactions, Blood cell disorders, Thyroid problems
Fluoroquinolones	Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin	Poultry	Cartilage damage, Nerve problems
Nitroimidazoles	Metronidazole, Tinidazole	Meat, Milk	Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness

The Significance of testing antibiotic residues

Human Health Protection:

Allergic Reactions: Residues of antibiotics in food can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Prolonged exposure to low levels of antibiotics through food consumption can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a threat to human health.

Food Safety:

Regulatory Compliance: Many countries have established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for antibiotics in food products. Testing ensures compliance with these regulations.

Consumer Confidence: Regular testing helps maintain consumer confidence in the safety and quality of food products.

Animal Health:

Withdrawal Period Monitoring: Ensures that antibiotic-treated animals have sufficient time to eliminate residues before entering the food supply.

Prevention of Antibiotic Misuse: Testing discourages the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Trade and Export:

International Standards: Adherence to antibiotic residue limits is essential for international trade, as different countries may have varying regulations.

Export Requirements: Ensures that food products meet the standards of the importing country, facilitating smooth trade.

Regulatory Compliance:

Legal Requirements: Compliance with local and international regulations is necessary for food producers and processors.

Enforcement: Allows regulatory authorities to take appropriate actions against violations, such as recalling contaminated products or penalizing non-compliant entities.

Public Health Surveillance:

Monitoring Trends: Helps track trends in antibiotic use and resistance, contributing to public health surveillance efforts.

Early Detection: Enables early detection of emerging issues related to antibiotic residues in food.

Environmental Impact

Minimizing Environmental Contamination: Reducing the release of antibiotics into the environment through animal waste or improper disposal practices.

Market overview

The Residue Testing Market is projected to reach a valuation of USD 4,500 million in 2021, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6% between 2022 and 2028. Agriculture residue pertains to the residual presence of agricultural and veterinary chemicals, along with their byproducts, in or on agricultural produce. Factors driving market growth include heightened consumer consciousness concerning food safety, an uptick in chemical contamination incidents in the food processing industry, and a surge in allergic reactions among consumers, leading to increased demand for residue testing.

Standards and Regulations

FSSAI standards

The following antibiotics and veterinary drugs are strictly prohibited for use at any stage of processing of meat and meat products, poultry and eggs, sea foods including shrimps, prawns, or any variety of fish and fishery products:

Chloramphenicol - the Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) is set at 0.0003 mg/kg (0.3 ug/kg).

Nitrofuran antibiotics (including Furazolidone, Nitrofurazone, Nitrofurantoine, and Nifursol)
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Clenbuterol
Carbadox
Dimetridazole and Metronidazole
Malachite Green

The EMRL for these substances is set at 0.001 mg/kg, except for Chloramphenicol, which has a lower EMRL of 0.0003 mg/kg.

Key Standards:

Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs): The highest permissible concentration of an antibiotic residue that can be legally present in food.

Withdrawal Periods: The time that must elapse between the last administration of an antibiotic to an animal and the slaughter of the animal for food.

Good Animal Husbandry Practices: Practices that promote the health and well-being of animals and minimize the need for antibiotics.

Mandatory and optional analyses

Mandatory analyses

Type of Analysis	Purpose
Screening Tests	- Quickly detect the presence of a broad range of antibiotics.
Confirmatory Tests	- Confirm the identity and quantify specific antibiotics.
Quantitative Analysis	- Measure the concentration of antibiotic residues to ensure compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs).
Multi-Residue Analysis	- Screen and confirm the presence of multiple antibiotic residues simultaneously.
Specific Antibiotic Tests	- Targeted analysis for known or suspected antibiotics in a particular food product.
Compliance Testing	- Verify compliance with regulatory standards and maximum residue limits.
Microbiological Methods	- Assess the microbiological quality of food products in relation to antibiotic residues.

Optional Analyses

Type of Analysis	Purpose
Emerging Antibiotics	- Identify and analyze newer or less common antibiotics.
Residue Profiles	- Examine the presence of multiple residues from different antibiotic classes.
Metabolite Analysis	- Assess the presence of antibiotic metabolites in food products.
Source Tracking	- Determine the origin of antibiotic residues (e.g., veterinary vs. human sources).
Continuous Monitoring	- Implement ongoing monitoring programs for specific food supply chains.

Eurofins role in testing antibiotics residues

Eurofins plays a vital role in the testing of antibiotic residues in food products worldwide. Their extensive network of laboratories and expertise in various analytical techniques position them as a leading provider of food safety testing services. Here's an overview of Eurofins' contributions in this area:

Comprehensive Testing Services:

Wide Range of Antibiotics: Eurofins tests for a comprehensive range of antibiotics, including beta-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and nitroimidazoles.

Diverse Food Matrices: They offer testing services for a variety of food matrices, including meat, poultry, eggs, milk, fish, honey, and animal feed.

Multi-method Approach: Eurofins employs various analytical methods, including immunoassays, chromatography (HPLC, LC-MS/MS), and microbiological assays, depending on the specific antibiotic being tested and the desired sensitivity.

Supporting Regulatory Compliance:

MRL Testing: Eurofins helps food producers and retailers comply with national and international regulations by testing for antibiotic residues against established MRLs.

Risk-based Analysis: Their expertise allows them to identify high-risk antibiotics and implement targeted testing strategies.

Expert Guidance: Eurofins provides expert guidance to clients on interpreting test results, implementing corrective actions, and improving antibiotic usage practices.

Advancing Food Safety:

Method Development: Eurofins continuously invests in research and development to improve the accuracy, sensitivity, and speed of their antibiotic residue testing methods.

Data Sharing: They actively collaborate with international organizations and research institutions to share data and improve global understanding of antibiotic resistance.

Consumer Confidence: By ensuring the safety of food products from antibiotic residues, Eurofins helps maintain consumer confidence in the food supply chain.

Additional Services:

Veterinary Drug Residue Testing: Eurofins also offers testing services for other veterinary drugs, such as antiparasitics, growth promoters, and hormones.

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance: They participate in national and international surveillance programs to monitor trends in antibiotic resistance.

Residue Confirmation: Eurofins provides confirmatory testing services using advanced analytical techniques for complex cases or disputed results.

Eurofins' commitment to providing reliable and comprehensive antibiotic residue testing services plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our food supply and protecting public health.

References

Wang B, Xie K, Lee K. Veterinary Drug Residues in Animal-Derived Foods: Sample Preparation and Analytical Methods. Foods. 2021 Mar 7;10(3):555. doi: 10.3390/foods10030555. PMID: 33800096; PMCID: PMC8000452.
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/foodtox/lectures/lecture22/L22-Animal%20Drug%20Residues%20in%20Food.pdf
https://juniperpublishers.com/jdvs/JDVS.MS.ID.555856.php
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/03/eggs-removed-from-european-shelves-over-toxicity-fears-fipronil
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_33.html
https://precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-residue-testing-market/
https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Contaminants_Regulations_28_01_2022.pdf
Parmar, J. K., Chaubey, K. K., Gupta, V., & Bharath, M. N. (2021). Assessment of various veterinary drug residues in animal originated food products. Veterinary World, 14(6), 1650-1664. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.1650-1664