Situation of Antibiotic residues in fresh meats and ready to drink cow milk sold for consumers in Bangkok

Abstract

Background: Irrational antibiotic uses in livestock resulting in antibiotic residues in pork, chicken, meat and other products from animals. Objective: to examine antibiotic residues in pork, chicken, meat, and ready-to-drink cow milk Methods: The samples were tested by antibiotic residue detection kits from the Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand. These detection kits have 93% accuracy, 78.9% sensitivity, and 96.7% specificity. Convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 263 samples which consisted of 115 samples of fresh pork, 21 samples of chicken and 12 samples of fresh beef sold in the fresh markets, 43 samples of ready-to-eat cow's milk, 36 samples which advertised as organic pork, and 36 samples which advertised as hygienic chicken were tested for antibiotic residues; Tetracycline, Macrolide, Aminoglycoside, Sulfonamide, Penicillin. Result: From a total of 263 samples, the results showed that 148 sample of fresh pork, chicken and meat bought from fresh market were found antibiotic residues in 103 samples (69.59%); fresh meat (n=12, 100%), fresh chicken (n=18, 85.71%) and fresh pork (n=73, 63.49%). Results of ready-to-drink cow milk showed that from a total of 43 samples, 6 samples (13.95%) were found to contain Tetracycline residues. 72 samples of fresh pork and chicken, 36 each, which advertised as hygienic were examined, no sample was detected of Tetracycline residue Conclusion: 69.59% (103/148)of fresh pork, chicken and meat samples and 13.95% (6/43) of ready-to-drink cow milk samples were detected antibiotic residues. No antibiotic residues found in 72 samples consisted of 63 samples of fresh pork and 36 samples of chicken which advertised as hygienic.