Dr. P. Fandamu Chief Veterinary Research Officer Microbial and Veterinary Drug Residue Monitoring Programme – Central Veterinary Research Institute Dr. P. Fandamu Chief Veterinary Research Officer

Presentation outline Background Objective of the programme Materials and Method Preliminary results Conclusion

Background An important aspect food safety (animal derived food) is the control of residues Residues can be: Intentionally added e.g. food additives, or illegally added for adulterant purposes From defined uses e.g. veterinary drug and pesticides Contaminants (formed during production, processing, storage, etc) Public health concerns include toxicological adverse effects, allergic reactions, and development of drug-resistance to certain of bacteria strains

Background With the absence of Microbial and Veterinary Drug Residue Monitoring Programmes in the country, the Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI) commenced such a programme The Minimum Residue Limits (MRL) is the current standard for residues in food adopted by the Codex Committees of the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. Detection of residues at slaughter is a critical point in residue control.

Objectives of the programme The drug residue/microbial monitoring program was started with an objective of determining the cases of meat/milk/meat product samples which had levels above the Minimum Residue Limits of antibiotics as well as the levels of bacterial contamination. This is to ensure wholesome meat, which is good for the general health of the public (consumer confidence) as well as to penetrate more lucrative markets

Materials and Methods Target is the meat processors (beef, pork, and poultry) in the country starting with the Lusaka based and gradually spreading to other parts of the country. From January 2016, 26 livestock processing establishments have been enlisted in the programme and tested once per quarter. A total 116 samples comprising 16 meat/poultry or pork samples and 100 surface swabs are collected from each establishment. Since the start of the programme 3,828 samples were collected and analysed. Currently, samples are analysed for the following Vet drugs: Chlortetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Tetracycline and Sulphamethazine. Thin layer chromatography is used for screening and confirmation by HPLC/DAD. For microbial contamination of the environment and surfaces of equipment, the following bacteria are checked for: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, pathogenic E. Coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Test Reports and Certificates are issued to the respective companies after satisfactory results. Non compliant results will lead to corrective measures being put in place.

Preliminary results (a) Vet Drug Residues   Oxytetracycline n = 269 Sulphamethazine n = 224 Positive Negative Number of samples 112 157 39 185 % of samples 41.6 58.4 17.4 82.6 Conc. range (ng/g) 27.26 - 545.20 11.92 - 259.98 Mean conc. (ng/g) ± SD 199. 6  122.6 86.5  75.9 % of Total samples above Codex MRL (200 ng/g) 16.4 2.2 % of Total samples above EU MRL (100 ng/g) 26.3 5.8 % positive samples above Codex MRL (200 ng/g) 45.5 12.8 % positive samples above EU MRL (100 ng/g) 76.6 33.3

Preliminary results (b) Microbial contamination No Staphylococcus, pathogenic E. Coli or Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the samples examined so far. However, non pathogenic E. Coli has been found in some establishments.

Conclusion No Tetracycline and Chlortetracycline has been detected from the samples analysed so far. The Microbial and Veterinary Drugs Residue Monitoring Program by CVRI has been applauded by many livestock processors, citing one processor who has indicated that the exercise had enabled him to penetrate the airline business (supplying of meat for the crew) Therefore, sustainability of the program by both CVRI and the processors remains the primary objective going forward. We intend to increase the number of contaminants to include pesticides, hormones, heavy metals etc. The spectrum of antibiotics will also be increased.

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