In modern agricultural practices, veterinary drugs are being used on a large scale. The majority of these drugs are administered as feed additives or via the drinking water in order to prevent the outbreak of diseases or to improve the growth of animals. The use of veterinary drugs for food-producing animals such as poultry, lactating cows, etc. can affect the public health and the international trade of food products because of the presence of residues of drugs in edible products (milk, eggs, body tissue after slaughtering). Depending upon the time-span between the administration of the drug and the collection of the animal product (withdrawal period), drug-related residues may be present in these products.
FDA laboratories have the technical capabilities to test for these residues in various matrices. All sub-sampling, testing and laboratory analysis are performed according to specialized international standards.
Examples of Veterinary Drug Residues | ||
---|---|---|
Tetracyclines | Other Antibiotics | Sulfonamides |
Coccidiostats | Xenobiotic Hormones | Antiprotozoal |
Anthelmintics | Aminoclycosides | Growth stimulants |
Chloramphenicols derivatives | Macrolides | Fosfomycin |
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs | Quinolones | Nitrofurans |