Beta lactam in milk

Introduction

Milk is a staple in many households, loved for its taste and nutritional value. However, concerns about the presence of various compounds, such as beta-lactams, have raised questions about the safety of this beloved beverage. In this blog post, we'll delve into what beta-lactams are, how they can end up in milk, and what you should know to ensure the safety of your dairy products.

fda tests for antibiotics in milk

What Are Beta-Lactams?

Beta-lactams are a class of antibiotics commonly used in both human and veterinary medicine. They include well-known antibiotics like penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins. These antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections in both humans and animals. However, their presence in milk can be a cause for concern.

How Do Beta-Lactams Get into Milk?

The primary route for beta-lactams to enter milk is through the treatment of dairy cows. When cows are sick and require antibiotic treatment, they are administered beta-lactam antibiotics. These antibiotics can enter the cow's bloodstream and, subsequently, their milk supply.

Health risks associated with beta-lactams in milk

Health Risks	Description
Antibiotic Resistance	Potential for antibiotic residues to contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making infections harder to treat.
Allergic Reactions	Some individuals may be allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics, leading to allergic reactions upon consumption.
Hypersensitivity Reactions	Non-allergic hypersensitivity reactions can occur in response to beta-lactam residues, causing various symptoms such as skin rashes and gastrointestinal issues.
Impact on Gut Microbiome	Antibiotic residues in milk can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, potentially leading to digestive problems and nutrient absorption issues.
Potential Long-Term Effects	Ongoing research explores the possible long-term health effects of chronic exposure to low levels of antibiotic residues in food, including milk.

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

Testing importance

Testing for the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics and other contaminants in milk is crucial for several reasons, and its importance cannot be overstated:

Importance of Testing in Milk	Description
Ensuring Consumer Safety	Testing is vital to identify and mitigate health risks, such as antibiotic residues, ensuring dairy products are safe for consumption.
Regulatory Compliance	Testing helps dairy industry stakeholders adhere to established maximum residue limits (MRLs) and safety regulations set by governmental agencies.
Combating Antibiotic Resistance	By preventing antibiotic residues in milk, testing plays a key role in reducing the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria development, a major public health concern.
Building Consumer Confidence	Consumer trust is fostered when rigorous testing ensures the safety of dairy products, encouraging consumption and supporting the dairy industry.
Quality Assurance	Identifying issues within the milk supply chain through testing helps maintain the overall quality and integrity of dairy products.
Protecting Livestock Health	Ensuring compliance with antibiotic withdrawal periods through testing safeguards the health and welfare of dairy cows.
Facilitating International Trade	Testing ensures that dairy products meet import and export requirements, supporting international trade agreements and the global dairy market.
Supporting Research and Monitoring	Testing data contributes to ongoing research on the effects of contaminants in food products, monitors trends, and assesses the effectiveness of regulatory measures.

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

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set the maximum residue limit (MRL) for beta-lactams in milk in India as follows:

Penicillin G: 0.001 mg/kg
Ampicillin: 0.005 mg/kg
Cloxacillin: 0.01 mg/kg
Neomycin: 1.5 mg/kg
Streptomycin: 0.02 mg/kg
Tetracycline: 0.01 mg/kg

The FSSAI also states that the use of beta-lactams in milk must be done in accordance with the directions of a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian must ensure that the cow is treated with the correct dosage of the antibiotic and that the milk is not collected until the withdrawal period has elapsed.

Testing methods

Testing Method	Description
Microbial Inhibition Assay (Penicillinase Test)	Quick and simple method that gauges the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics by observing their effect on bacterial growth.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)	Highly sensitive and specific method that identifies compounds in milk based on mass and chemical properties.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)	Immunological method that employs specific antibodies to detect beta-lactam antibiotics in milk through antibody-antigen reactions.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)	Technique that separates and quantifies compounds in milk based on chemical properties, offering good sensitivity and selectivity.
Turbidimetric Methods	Methods that detect beta-lactam antibiotics by measuring changes in milk's turbidity due to chemical reactions; simple and cost-effective but may require confirmation for accuracy.

Eurofins role in testing Beta lactam in milk

Eurofins is a global leader in testing and laboratory services, and they offer a wide range of analytical testing services, including testing for Beta-lactam antibiotics in milk. Beta-lactam antibiotics are a class of antibiotics that include penicillin and cephalosporins, and their presence in milk can be a concern due to potential antibiotic residues.

Eurofins typically provides the following services for testing Beta-lactam antibiotics in milk:

Sample Collection: Eurofins may offer services for collecting milk samples from dairy farms or other sources.

Sample Preparation: The collected milk samples need to be properly prepared for analysis. This may involve various sample treatment procedures to extract and concentrate the antibiotics from the milk.

Analytical Testing: Eurofins employs analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect and quantify Beta-lactam antibiotics in the milk samples. These methods are highly sensitive and specific.

Reporting and Compliance: After testing, Eurofins provides detailed reports of the results, including the levels of Beta-lactam antibiotics detected in the samples. These reports can be used for regulatory compliance and quality control purposes.

Regulatory Support: Eurofins may also provide guidance on regulatory requirements related to Beta-lactam antibiotic testing in milk, helping clients ensure that their products meet legal standards and food safety regulations.

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

Fejzić, N., Begagić, M., Šerić-Haračić, S., & Smajlović, M. (2014). Beta lactam antibiotics residues in cow’s milk: Comparison of efficacy of three screening tests used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 14(3), 155-159. https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2014.3.109
Castro-Aguirre, E., Auras, R., Selke, S., Rubino, M., & Marsh, T. (2017). Insights on the aerobic biodegradation of polymers by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide in simulated composting conditions. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 137, 251-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2017.01.017
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01122