Residues of certain veterinary drugs in raw milk in Slovenia in the 2000 2002 period

Abstract

In order to ensure the hygienic suitability of foodstuffs of animal origin, and from the aspect of human health protection and improvement, we studied the contamination of raw milk with microbial inhibitors, chloramphenicol, sulphonamides and ivermectin in one part of Slovenia - the central Stajerska region. Our own sampling in 2002 included industrial areas along with areas of intensive and extensive milk production. Thus, in the summer, autumn and winter periods of that year, 27 samples of raw milk were taken and tested for residues of microbial inhibitors, chloramphenicol, sulphonamides and ivermectin. Microbial inhibitors, sulphonamides and ivermectin were, in fact, not found in any of the tested samples. Yet in two samples of raw milk taken in the autumn of 2002, the presence of chloramphenicol was confirmed. These results of testing milk from the central Stajerska region were compared with the results of systematic veterinary-sanitary control in Slovenia during 2000 and 2001 (the residual monitoring programme). No residues of certain veterinary drugs tested for were found in any of the samples that were examined.