Determination of Veterinary Drug Residue in Feed: Reliable Analysis Methods

What Does Veterinary Drug Residue Mean?

The detection of veterinary drug residues in feed is critical for both animal health and the production of safe food for human consumption. Veterinary drugs are used for the treatment and prevention of animal diseases or to stimulate growth. However, residues of these substances in feed can have adverse effects on animal and human health.

Veterinary medicines are widely used, especially for the prevention and treatment of animal diseases and to improve animal growth and feed conversion. However, the use of veterinary medicines in food-producing animals can leave residues of the main components and metabolites of food.

Residues of veterinary medicines in food can have harmful effects on human health. In general, drugs or drug mixtures mixed into feed should be regularly recorded. Apart from authorized and registered veterinary drugs, banned and unregistered drugs can be used to change animal physiology.

In order to prevent this situation, the use of veterinary drugs should be kept under control at the necessary stages, as well as tests and analyzes of veterinary drugs in feeds, animal nutrition water and various foods should be carried out.

What are Veterinary Drug Residues?

Veterinary drug residues are undesirable levels of drugs in animal feed or animal products (meat, milk, eggs). Important drug groups are as follows:

Antibiotics: Especially broad-spectrum antibiotics (tetracycline, sulfonamides).
Antiparasitics: Drugs used to control internal and external parasites.
Hormones: Can be used as growth promoters.
Other Veterinary Medicines: Anti-inflammatories, vaccine residues.

What is the Importance of Veterinary Drug Residue Detection?

Public Health Risks: Antibiotic residues can lead to antibiotic resistance. Some medicines can produce toxic effects or cause allergic reactions.
Animal Health and Welfare: High doses of drug residues in feed can adversely affect the metabolism of animals.
Food Safety: Animal products must be within legal limits to be safe.
Legal and Economic Requirements: Products exceeding maximum permissible residue limits (MRLs) in feed can lead to trade barriers.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Veterinary Drug Residue Determination in Feed. We also provide services in Feed Analysis.

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