Veterinary Science & Technology

A Review on Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods of Animal Origin

Abstract

Amanuel Balemi*

Veterinary drugs may leave drug residues in foods like meat, milk, eggs, or honey because they are often used to improve animal development and prevent disease in animals that produce food. It, including antiparasitic, antibiotics, and growth promoters are crucial for preserving the wellbeing and production of agricultural animals, and the health of companion animals. However, excessive use of these drugs leads to harmful residues, such as metabolites and original drugs, which can be dangerous to both human and animal health. There is not enough information available in Ethiopia about the proper and reasonable use of veterinary medications and there is a clear lack of available information about antibiotic residues in animal derived foods. Therefore, the aim of this seminar paper is to review veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin. A portion of drugs given to animals, such as hormones, growth promoters, antibiotics, or anticoccidials, may be metabolized and eliminated. However, edible tissues like meat, milk, eggs, seafood, or fish may still contain trace amounts of these drugs or their metabolites. Drug residues in animal-derived food can have a direct impact on human health, or they can have an indirect effect by spreading human pathogens through the selection of antibiotic resistance determinants. Drug residues in food samples are found and measured using analytical methods such as immunological methods, chromatography methods like liquid and gas chromatography, and biosensors. Therefore, Community awareness about veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin should be given by governmental bodies and other stockholders.