Chemical contamination of feed, containing animal raw materials

Abstract

Raw feed materials of animal origin intended to produce feed for livestock and “companion animals may contain undesired chemical substances able to be carried-“over in the final produce: toxic elements and veterinary drug residues “(antimicrobials, coccidiostats, antiprotozoal and sedative drugs). The carry-over of “contaminant from raw materials to ready feed is determined by it’s structure and “chemical properties, resistance to environmental conditions and processing. “Elevated levels of toxic elements in the environment are often a result of industrial “and agricultural activities (e.g. use pesticides containing toxic elements, use of “manure as fertilizers and industrial wastewaters), however in some cases “contamination may have natural geological sources. Organic forms of cadmium “and mercury may be more toxic than their inorganic forms due to higher biological “activity. Rise of anthropogenic load leads to t elevated levels of raw feed materials “contamination and susbsequently of feed contamination, posing the risk to animal “health. Literature analysis showed that monitoring of cadmium, lead, mercury and “arsenic should be focused at raw feed materials of mineral and marine origin, “especially at the fishmeal, which contains large amounts of arsenic. The main “source of companion animals feed contamination by antimicrobials are raw “materials, and for livestock cross-contamination is an important factor. Control of “cross-contamination is possible only if good manufacturing practices are applied.“