Positive Drug Residues in Milk Tankers Down to 350 Loads in 2016
US - Just 350 tankers out of more 3.5 million loads of milk tested positive for drug residues in fiscal year 2016, ending 30 September, according to the National Milk Drug Residue Database. That’s a violation rate of 0.011 per cent, the lowest level in 20 years and just one-eighth of the rate in 1997.
21 March 2017
1 minute read
Another 407,592 producer samples were tested, likely after the producers themselves called their processors fearing a mistake had happened. Of these samples, another 261 were positive, for a violation rate of 0.064 per cent.
Of the tanker loads, the vast majority of the loads were Grade A with a violation rate of 0.011 per cent. The non-Grade A violation rate, making up 3.8 per cent of the samples, had a violation rate of 0.018 per cent.
A total of 619 residues were detected from the tanker samples and the producer samples. The vast majority, 612, were from beta lactams. Sulfonamides accounted for six of the positives and tetracyclines, one.
A pilot programme to more vigorously test for tetracyclines has been likely delayed, but could start later this year if a second tetracycline residue test can be validated.
You can view the report by the National Milk Drug Residue Database by clicking here.
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