Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Nitrofurans survey published
Nitrofuran metabolites have been found in three samples of imported warm water prawns, a report published by the Veterinary Residues Committee (VRC) reveals today.
Three out of 102 samples collected from UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) and wholesale outlets contained nitrofuran metabolites above the European Commission's limit of 1 ug/kg (parts per billion). The contaminated samples originated from India and Thailand.
Nitrofurans are not authorised for use in the treatment of animals for food production in the EU and should not be present in food of animal origin exported to the EU.
Nitrofurans have been linked with a possible increased risk of cancer in humans through long-term consumption. Advice from the VRC is that the risk from infrequent exposure to very low levels of nitrofurans in food is likely to be low, and the exposure indicated by the survey findings is not considered of concern for consumer safety.
All remaining stock from the contaminated consignments was removed from the food chain as a precautionary measure.
This survey is the third brand naming study commissioned by the VRC and carried out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The report details the commodity sampled, where the samples were collected and the results of the analyses. It can be viewed online at: http://www.vet-residues-committee.gov.uk.
Notes for editors
1. Nitrofurans are a group of veterinary antibiotics banned for use in food producing animals in the EU, and should not be present in food of animal origin exported to the EU. Countries that wish to export food of animal origin to the EU are required to comply with EU legislation.
2. The European Commission has set a Minimum Required Performance Limit (MRPL) of 1 ug/kg (parts per billion) for the analysis of nitrofuran metabolites in aquaculture products (Commission Decision 2003/181/EC).
3. One of the contaminated samples was from India. The other two were from the same consignment from Thailand but sampled in different months.
4. This is the third brand naming survey commissioned by the VRC and carried out by the VMD. The first survey covered malachite green and leucomalachite green in farmed salmon. The second survey covered chloramphenicol, nitrofurans and streptomycin in honey. Details relating to these three studies may be obtained from the Brand Naming Reports page on the VRC website referred to above.
5. The Food Standards Agency will deal with any questions that arise in respect of product withdrawals and consumer safety. The Agency contact numbers are: Press enquiries 0207 276 8888; Public enquiries 0207 276 8548. Any questions on the scope of the survey should be directed to Defra Press Branch on 0207 238 6007.
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