Antibiotics in Milk

Milk is a fundamental part of our diet, providing essential nutrients and contributing to our overall health. However, concerns have arisen regarding the presence of antibiotics in milk and their potential impact on human health. Antibiotics are commonly used in dairy farming to treat and prevent bacterial infections in cows, but their residues can find their way into the milk supply chain.

Types of antibiotics found in milk

There are several types of antibiotics that can be found in milk due to their use in dairy farming. These antibiotics are used to treat and prevent bacterial infections in cows. Here are some common types:

Beta-Lactams: This class of antibiotics includes penicillin and cephalosporins. They are frequently used in veterinary medicine for treating bacterial infections in cows.

Tetracyclines: Tetracycline and oxytetracycline are examples of antibiotics in this class. They are employed in dairy farming to combat various bacterial infections.

Macrolides: Erythromycin and tylosin fall under the category of macrolide antibiotics. They are utilized to treat specific ailments in cows, such as mastitis.

Sulfonamides: Sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine are commonly used antibiotics in dairy farming. They help control and treat bacterial infections in cows.

Implications of Antibiotics in Milk:

Development of Antibiotic Resistance: Regular exposure to antibiotics through milk consumption can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans. This poses a significant public health concern as it diminishes the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating infections

Recall incidents

On June 14, 2002, Berkeley Farms, a dairy company, has taken the proactive step of issuing a voluntary recall for multiple milk products after the detection of antibiotics. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) inspectors discovered the presence of antibiotics during their routine sampling process.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has issued a consumer alert regarding the recall of chocolate milk. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets conducted analysis at the New York State Food Laboratory, revealing the presence of a beta-lactam antibiotic residue in the product

Market overview

According to the "Global Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Market Report 2023" by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the antimicrobial susceptibility testing sector is projected to reach $5.08 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%.

Regulations and standards

In order to regulate and control the presence of antibiotics and other drug residues in food, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2018. These regulations establish "Tolerance Limits" for antibiotics and veterinary drugs in meat/meat products, poultry, fish, and milk. The uncontrolled presence of such residues in food, resulting from their use in animals raised for food production, can pose risks to human health and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in disease-causing bacteria. The amendment expands upon existing regulations and introduces new tolerance limits for 103 antibiotics and veterinary drugs in meat/meat products, poultry, fish, and milk. Notably, tolerance limits for 76 antibiotics that are either prohibited or not intended for use in food-producing animals have been set at 0.01 mg/kg of the listed food. These limits align with the detection levels of these antibiotics and drugs as determined by existing analytical methods. Through these measures, the FSSAI aims to ensure the control and regulation of antibiotic and drug residues in food, safeguarding human health and mitigating the risks associated with AMR.

Testing methods

Several testing methods are employed to detect and quantify antibiotics in milk. These methods are crucial for monitoring and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Here are some commonly used testing methods for antibiotics in milk:

Eurofins role

Eurofins is a global leader in providing testing services, including the analysis of antibiotics in milk. Eurofins offers a comprehensive range of analytical methods and expertise to ensure the accurate and reliable detection of antibiotic residues in milk samples. Here is an overview of Eurofins' role in testing antibiotics in milk:

Eurofins' services in testing antibiotics in milk contribute to maintaining the safety and quality of milk products by ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and identifying any potential risks associated with antibiotic residues.

Eurofins Analytical Services India, located in Bangalore, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive such recognition.

References

1. Sachi, S., Ferdous, J., Sikder, M. H., & Azizul Karim Hussani, S. M. (2019). Antibiotic residues in milk: Past, present, and future. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 6(3), 315-332. https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2019.f350
2. https://foodsafetyhelpline.com/antibiotics-pharmacology/
3. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230515005447/en/Global-Antimicrobial-Susceptibility-Testing-Market-Report-2023
4. https://jpabs.org/misc/natural-antibiotics-for-cattle.html
5. Sischo WM. Quality milk and tests for antibiotic residues. J Dairy Sci. 1996 Jun;79(6):1065-73. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(96)76460-3. PMID: 8827472.

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