September 24, 2021. The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) released an infographic for PNS/BAFS 48:2016 Veterinary drug residues in food: Maximum Residue Limits, which aims to provide information on the maximum concentration of veterinary drug residues allowed in food.
Veterinary drug residues are usually found in the liver or kidney, and in other tissues such as muscles and skin. Residues exceeding the maximum level allowed are results of irresponsible drug usage and failure to comply with the withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in food-producing animals. This may pose health hazards to the consumers such as development of antimicrobial drug resistance, hypersensitivity reaction, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and disruption of intestinal normal flora. However, residual amount ingested in small amounts are not necessarily toxic (Beyene, 2015).
Release and publication of infographics is part of the Bureau's commitment to intensify the promotion and adoption of standards. You can read the infographic and other published knowledge products on our website at www.bafs.da.gov.ph. ###
Reference:
Beyene, T. (2015). Veterinary drug residues in food-animal products: Its risk factors and potential effects on public health. Journal of Veterinary Science & Technology, 07(01). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7579.1000285