Eurofins India >> Food Testing >> Blog >> Antibiotics in meat and meat products testing

Food Testing >> Blog >> Antibiotics in meat and meat products testing

Antibiotics in meat and meat products Testing

Antibiotics are medications designed to combat bacterial infections, and their use extends into the meat industry to prevent and treat diseases in livestock. When animals receive antibiotics, trace amounts can remain in their meat and dairy products, potentially leading to human consumption of these drugs. While many countries, including the United States and the European Union, have banned the use of certain antibiotics for growth promotion, they are still permitted for therapeutic purposes.

antibiotics-in-meat-and-meat-products

Types of antibiotics that can be used in the meat industry

Tetracyclines: Commonly used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections in livestock.
Penicillins: Employed for treating various bacterial infections.
Macrolides: Often used for addressing respiratory infections like pneumonia.
Sulfonamides: Utilized to manage respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Aminoglycosides: Prescribed for severe bacterial infections, including sepsis and peritonitis.

Health impacts of consuming antibiotic used meat products

Consuming meat products that contain antibiotics can have several potential health effects on humans.

Increased risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Development of infections that are difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics
Allergic reactions in some individuals
Imbalance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome
Possible impacts on overall health and immunity

Market overview

In 2022, the global market size for animal antimicrobials and antibiotics was USD 678.48 million, and it is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for meat, which has led to an increase in animal production

FSSAI standards

Tolerance Limits

FSSAI has established tolerance limits for certain antibiotics and other veterinary drugs in meat, meat products, poultry, fish, and milk.
For certain antibiotics, the tolerance limits are: tetracycline (0.1 mg/kg), oxytetracycline (0.1 mg/kg), trimethoprim (0.05 mg/kg), and oxolinic acid (0.3 mg/kg) in seafood.

Prohibited Substances

Substances like nitrofurans, chloramphenicol, metronidazole, and carbadox are prohibited in meat, meat products, poultry, eggs, and seafood. The extraneous maximum residue limit is 0.001 mg/kg, except for chloramphenicol which is 0.0003 mg/kg.

Drug Withdrawal Periods

New regulations enforce a withdrawal period for animals treated with antibiotics to ensure the drugs are eliminated from the animal's system before the products are consumed.

Enforcement

FSSAI conducts surprise inspections and random sampling to check if animal products contain antibiotic residues beyond the permissible limits.
All food business operators involved in processing and sale of milk are required to adhere to the specified regulations. State governments implement and enforce the Food Safety and Standards Act through surveillance, sampling, inspection and enforcement drives.

Testing methods

There are several testing methods for the detection of antibiotics in meat products. Some common methods include

Testing Method	Principle
Microbial Inhibition Assay	Antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth in a sample of meat
Liquid Chromatography	Antibiotics are separated and quantified using UV or mass spectrometry
ELISA	Antibodies specific to an antibiotic are used to detect its presence
Biosensors	Biological components such as enzymes, antibodies, or bacteria are used to detect antibiotics in meat products

Some of the commonly analyzed antibiotic groups in meat include

Sulfonamides (e.g. sulphanilamide)
Tetracyclines (e.g. tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline)
Quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin)
Streptomycins
β-Lactams (e.g. penicillins)
Macrolides

Eurofins role in Antibiotics testing in meat and meat products

Eurofins is a global leader in laboratory services that plays a primary role in the testing of antibiotic residues in meat and meat products. Their contributions are crucial for ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

Key Roles of Eurofins in Antibiotic Testing

Comprehensive Testing Services: Eurofins provides extensive testing for a wide range of antibiotic residues in various meat products, including beef, pork, and poultry. They utilize advanced analytical techniques like LC-MS/MS, to detect and quantify antibiotic residues effectively.

Regulatory Compliance: Eurofins helps meat producers comply with international food safety regulations by testing for antibiotic residues against Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) established by authorities such as the Codex Alimentarius, EU and so on. This compliance is essential for protecting consumer health and maintaining market access.

Research and Development: The company is involved in research initiatives aimed at improving testing methodologies and developing new protocols for antibiotic detection. This includes exploring innovative extraction and analytical techniques to enhance sensitivity and specificity in residue analysis.

Risk Assessment and Management: Eurofins conducts risk assessments related to antibiotic residues in meat, helping stakeholders understand potential health impacts and ensuring that the levels of residues found are within safe limits for human consumption.