Abstract
The risk to consumers of antimicrobial residues in table eggs produced in Khartoum State, Sudan, was studied. All producing layer farms (n = 175) in the state were sampled in April, June and August 2008. A total of 933 eggs from 335 layer houses were screened for antimicrobial residues by using the growth inhibition of Geobacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis in-house test. A high proportion of layer farms (72% in April, 61% in June and 66% in August) and layer houses (63% April, 59% in June and 61% in August) were found to have antimicrobial residues, with no significant difference in prevalence (p = 0.57) between study periods. The study showed that the consumer was at constant risk of exposure to antimicrobial residues in table eggs. The paper discusses reasons for the high prevalence of antimicrobial residues in Sudanese eggs and its implications, and makes recommendations to address this important public health problem.
Highlights
This study showed that the surveillance systems used in Kuwait for monitoring and applying the standards of antimicrobial residues in food is well-conducted and highly efficient (Alomirah et al 2007)
The control of veterinary antibiotics used to ensure safer animal food products is needed in developing countries
Observation of drug withdrawal periods and extension programmes for farmers will be highly beneficial. Alternative practices such as vaccinations may reduce the use of antibiotics in poultry, the presence of antimicrobial residues and the development of drug resistant bacteria
Summary
The Sudanese poultry industry is located principally in Khartoum State which is the source for 90% of the country’s production. The total poultry population in Sudan is estimated at million. The commercial sector comprises 30 million chickens of which 20 million are layer hens. It contributes 45% of the agricultural income of the State, whilst the latter (agricultural income) contributes 7% of the total income (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resource and Irrigation 2005).
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