Residues In Eggs Research Articles

Cross-Contamination of Enrofloxacin in Veterinary Medicinal and Nutritional Products in Korea.

Poultry meat and eggs are vital sources of protein for human consumption worldwide. The use of several nutritional and medicinal products, including antibiotics, is crucial for efficient and safe poultry production. Accumulation of drug residues in meat and eggs from inappropriate drug use is a major concern to public health. Recently, enrofloxacin was detected (2.4–3.8 ppb) in edible eggs produced in Jeju Island, Korea. Although the farm from which the enrofloxacin-contaminated eggs were collected did not use enrofloxacin-containing products, they reported extensive use of a nutritional product (NPJ). Accordingly, in this study, we investigated whether enrofloxacin contamination had occurred accidentally in various widely used veterinary pharmaceutical products. Enrofloxacin content (4.57–179.08 ppm) in different lots of the NPJ was confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Furthermore, 76 veterinary pharmaceutical products that are widely used in poultry farms in Korea and claim to not contain enrofloxacin were collected and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Among them, a florfenicol product and a sulfatrimethoprime product were found to contain 3.00 and 0.57 ppm enrofloxacin, respectively. These results suggest that appropriate manufacturing standards are not being followed and that strict monitoring of drug manufacturing is necessary in Korea to avoid drug contamination.

Carboxylation modified meso-porous carbon aerogel templated by ionic liquid for solid-phase microextraction of trace tetracyclines residues using HPLC with UV detection

A carbon aerogel composite templated and catalyzed by ionic liquid was fabricated to obtaina meso-porous and cross-linked structure while avoiding the freeze and supercritical drying. It was then carboxylated to obtain favorable surface groups. The easily prepared material displayed excellent extraction effect of six tetracyclines (TCs) compared to the non-carboxylated carbon aerogel. A direct immersion solid-phase microextraction method to determine six TCs in aqueous samples was developed coupling with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector set at 355nm. The experimental parameters affecting the analytical performance of this method, including sample pH, ionic strength, extraction and desorption time, extraction volume, and temperature, were optimized. Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics models were used to clarify the extraction mechanism. Under the optimized conditions, this method has awide linear range of 2-1000μgL-1, low limits of detection of 0.36-0.71μgL-1, repeatability of 1.85-10.96%, and reproducibility of 4.92-13.47% for six TCs. The method was successfully applied to detect TC residues in egg and poultry farm wastewater samples.

Trichothecenes in Food and Feed, Relevance to Human and Animal Health and Methods of Detection: A Systematic Review.

Trichothecene mycotoxins are sesquiterpenoid compounds primarily produced by fungi in taxonomical genera such as Fusarium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichothecium, and others, under specific climatic conditions on a worldwide basis. Fusarium mold is a major plant pathogen and produces a number of trichothecene mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (or vomitoxin), nivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin. Monogastrics are sensitive to vomitoxin, while poultry and ruminants appear to be less sensitive to some trichothecenes through microbial metabolism of trichothecenes in the gastrointestinal tract. Trichothecene mycotoxins occur worldwide however both total concentrations and the particular mix of toxins present vary with environmental conditions. Proper agricultural practices such as avoiding late harvests, removing overwintered stubble from fields, and avoiding a corn/wheat rotation that favors Fusarium growth in residue can reduce trichothecene contamination of grains. Due to the vague nature of toxic effects attributed to low concentrations of trichothecenes, a solid link between low level exposure and a specific trichothecene is difficult to establish. Multiple factors, such as nutrition, management, and environmental conditions impact animal health and need to be evaluated with the knowledge of the mycotoxin and concentrations known to cause adverse health effects. Future research evaluating the impact of low-level exposure on livestock may clarify the potential impact on immunity. Trichothecenes are rapidly excreted from animals, and residues in edible tissues, milk, or eggs are likely negligible. In chronic exposures to trichothecenes, once the contaminated feed is removed and exposure stopped, animals generally have an excellent prognosis for recovery. This review shows the occurrence of trichothecenes in food and feed in 2011–2020 and their toxic effects and provides a summary of the discussions on the potential public health concerns specifically related to trichothecenes residues in foods associated with the exposure of farm animals to mycotoxin-contaminated feeds and impact to human health. Moreover, the article discusses the methods of their detection.

Fumigant activity of essential oils from Cinnamomum and Citrus spp. and pure compounds against Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae) and toxicity toward the nontarget organism Beauveria bassiana (Vuill.)

Dermanyssus gallinae(De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae) is the main ectoparasite associated with laying poultry. This mite is commonly controlled by the application of synthetic chemical insecticides, wich lead to the selection of resistant populations and formation of residues in eggs. Thus, new molecules must be developed to control D. gallinae. This work evaluated the toxicity of essential oils (EOs) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum camphora var. linalooliferum, Citrus aurantium, Citrus aurantium var. bergamia, Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus reticulata var. tangerine against D. gallinae. Additionally, the chemical profiles of the most bioactive EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the major compounds were subjected to new tests using D. gallinae. The most toxic EOs against D. gallinae were evaluated for the nontarget entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Unioeste 88). The EOs from C. cassia (LC50 = 25.43 ± 1.0423 μg/cm3) and C. camphora var. linalooliferum (LC50 = 39.84 ± 1.9635 μg/cm3) were the most active in the fumigant bioassay and caused mortality rates of 96 and 61%, respectively. The GC–MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum were trans-cinnamaldehyde and linalool, respectively. The pure compounds, trans-cinnamaldehyde (LC50 = 68.89 ± 3.1391 μg/cm3) and linalool (LC50 = 51.45 ± 1.1967 μg/cm3), were tested on D. gallinae and showed lower toxicity than the EOs. Thus, the compounds were not the only active substances produced by C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum; moreover synergism may have occurred between the substances. The EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum were also toxic to B. bassiana (Unioeste 88). Thus, EOs from C. cassia and C. camphora var. linalooliferum are promising candidates for use in D. gallinae control, but cannot be used in conjunction with the fungus B. bassiana.

Impact of antibiotic use and disease risks on Australian laying hen welfare

Antibiotic stewardship is an important concern for government, communities and producers. Shifts towards more extensive production systems in egg layers (i.e. free range) has increased the incidence of many diseases and parasites, requiring a return to the use of medications. Limitations on the number of antimicrobial drugs available for use in Australian egg layers under these increased usage situations can lead to the loss of effectiveness of the medications, antibiotic resistance development and continued declines in bird health and welfare. The small size of the Australian layer flock makes the likelihood of more antimicrobials becoming available very low due to the high cost of obtaining additional registration for use in layers and the significant challenge in assuring nil residues in eggs.

Microbial Quality and Residues of Some Antibiotics in Conventional and Organic Table Eggs at Retail Stores in Kafrelsheikh Governorate

Chicken eggs are important as food to humans. The present study was conducted in Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. A total of 250 samples (each sample contains 3 eggs) were purchased from different retail stores (conventional and organic, 125samples for each). These samples were subjected to microbiological examination for assessment of the sanitary quality and detection of incidence, serological and molecular characterization of salmonella, and subjected to chemical examination to detect the incidence of 2 antibiotic residues (oxytetracycline and tylosin) in both types of egg. Aerobic plate count showed mean values of 8.0×102 ± 4.6×10 cfu/ml for conventional eggs and 6.2×102 ± 3.2×10 cfu/ml for organic eggs, the coliform count showed a mean value of 4.6×102 ± 3.2×10 cfu /ml and 3.7×102 ± 2.6 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional and organic eggs respectively. Staphylococcus aureus count showed a mean value of 3.1×102±3.1 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional eggs and 2.3×102 ± 2.7 ×10 cfu/ml for organic egg. Mold and yeast count showed a mean value of 7.3×10 ± 3.8×10 cfu/ml and 4.2×10 ± 1.8 ×10 cfu/ml for conventional and organic eggs respectively. Salmonella was detected in 4 samples (1.6 % from total samples). All of them were only isolated from conventional eggs with a percentage of 3.2%. Serotype identification of four isolates was S. Kentucky. Salmonella Species were not isolated from organic egg contents. Multiplex PCR detected 3 virulence genes (hila, spvC, and stn) (100% of Salmonella isolates). No positive samples for microbial inhibitor test and no antibiotic residues in organic eggs and 4 conventional egg samples were detected positive for microbial inhibitor test with bacillus subtilis, which confirmed by HPLC for detection of 2 antibiotic residues (oxytetracycline and tylosin) and results revealed that 2 out of 4 positive inhibitor test samples were positive for oxytetracycline residues (317 µg /gm and 382 µg /gm) respectively, and 3 out of the same 4 samples were positive for tylosin residues (8.6 µg /gm, 48 µg /gm, and 18.5 µg /gm) respectively, and all positive samples exceeded the maximal residues limit (MRL 0.2 µg /gm) for both oxytetracycline and tylosin residues. The rate of detection of oxytetracycline and tylosin residues was (1.60%) and (2.4%) respectively from the conventional egg. Public health and economic importance for the isolated microorganisms and antibiotic residues were investigated. Results revealed that organic egg is safer than the conventional one.

Inclusion of industrial egg residue in the feed of laying hens to replace limestone: digestibility, productive performance and egg quality.

Our objective was to determine whether inclusion of industrial egg residue (IER) in the diets of laying hens would replace calcitic limestone without interfering with productive efficiency, egg quality or digestibility. In a first study (Experiment I), we used 30% IER in the diets of laying hens and found that the apparent digestibility coefficients were 51.6%, 42.8%, 51.6% and 17.8% for dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, respectively. In the second study (Experiment II), we compared a control diet containing calcitic limestone with four diets containing increasing levels of IER, in proportions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. During the first cycle (day 1-28), there was no difference between treatments in terms of productive performance or egg quality. During the second production cycle (day 29-56), we observed less food consumption by birds that ingested the highest levels of IER (100% substitution) than in controls. During the third cycle (day 57-84), we found that the inclusion of IER negatively affected performance, particularly lower production numbers, lower egg mass and higher feed conversion. Finally, during the third cycle, chickens broke and ingested their eggs shortly after laying. We conclude that the use of industrial egg residue cannot replace limestone in the feed of commercial laying hens, because it reduces performance and affects egg quality.

Interaction effects of dietary ginger Zingiber officinale and yeast Sacharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on performance, carcass yield and gut micro flora of broiler chickens

Consumer concern for drug residues in meat and eggs as well as ban imposed on the use of antibiotics in animal feed as growth promoter call for alternative search. A 56days feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of ginger inclusion with and without yeast supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, gut micro flora of broiler chickens. A total of One hundred and eighty day, one old Arbor acre broiler chicks wereallotted on weight equalization basis to 6 dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangements (3 levels of ginger (0%, 4% and 5%) with and without yeast (0%, 1% levels). The treatments were replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad- libtum. Performance showed that birds on combination (5% ginger and 1% yeast) recorded highest weight (1527g) with better feed conversion while least weight (1202g) and least feed conversion were recorded with birds on ginger only. Highest eviscerated weight (1362.50g) and dressing percentage (72.79%) were recorded in broiler chicks on 1%Yeast + 5% Ginger while least values (1087.50g, 62.39%) were recorded with birds on yeast only. Total bacteria count increased from 1.20 x106cfu/ml (control) to 1.70 x106cfu/ml in diets supplemented 1% yeast and 5% ginger as well as Lactobacillus count increased with supplementation level Total anaerobic count decreased from1.10 x106cfu/ml in control diet to 0.68 x106cfu/ml in birds fed1% yeast and 5% ginger likewise coliform, clostridium and bacillus counts decreased with the additives (yeast and ginger) inclusion. It can be concluded that inclusion of ginger and yeast at 5% and 1% respectively in the diets improved performance and reduced pathogenic biota without detrimental effects in broiler chickens and might therefore serve as a natural substitute for synthetic growth promoters.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of three [14C]PBDE congeners in laying hens and transfer to eggs.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) levels in environmental matrices have generally declined following their phaseout as flame retardants. The objective of this study was to determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of three persistent PBDEs in laying hens and their transfer into eggs. Laying hens (n = 4 per congener) received a single oral dose of BDE-99, -153, or -209 and eggs and excreta were collected daily for 7 days, then tissues were collected and analysed. Cumulative BDE-209 excretion was 93% of dose, and bioavailability was approximately 17%. Lesser amounts of BDE-99 (41%) and -153 (26%) were excreted with bioavailabilities of 87% and 79%, respectively. Phenolic metabolites were observed in excreta extracts from BDE-99 dosed birds. Cumulative transfers based on bioavailability of BDE-99, -153, and -209 to eggs were 17%, 34%, and 15%, respectively. Egg residues were primarily present in yolk (12.3%, 23.5%, and 2.1% of the total dose for BDE-99, -153, and -209, respectively). Adipose, skin, ova, intestine, and thigh muscle contained the highest levels of radioactive tissue residues. These studies demonstrate movement of PBDE residues into edible tissues and eggs of laying hens.

Screening of Antimicrobial Residues among Table Eggs Using Disc Diffusion Assay at Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

The existence of antimicrobial residues in food of animal origin is a safety concern worldwide. This study investigated the occurrence of such residues in table eggs collected from Erbil city (Iraq) markets according to shell color, location, and season. Results showed that the total proportion was 15.2%. The differences were not significant for the shell color (White color 13.7%; Brown color 16.8%), location (Urban 16.4%; Rural 13.8%), and months (July 12.1%, August 13.5%, September 18.8%, October 15.7%, December 16.9%, and November 14.1%). Such level of residue contamination requires a response from in-charge Iraqi health authorities to regulate antibiotics usage and ensure food safety.

Studies on veterinary antibiotic residues in chicken eggs and their public health significance in Bangladesh perspective

Studies on veterinary antibiotic residues in chicken eggs and their public health significance in Bangladesh perspective

Parental exposure to environmental concentrations of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate induces abnormal DNA methylation and behavioral changes in F1 zebrafish larvae

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) has been demonstrated to be transferred from parental animals to their offspring. However, whether parental exposure to environmental concentrations of TDCIPP show neurodevelopmental toxicity in the F1 generation and the possible underlying mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmental concentrations of TDCIPP (3, 30 and 300 ng L−1) for 120 days. The effects of exposure on motor behaviors, neurotransmitter levels, DNA methylation, and gene expression of F1 larvae were investigated. Parental exposure left TDCIPP residues in F1 eggs as well as reduced body length of F1 larvae. Moreover, parental exposure significantly reduced swimming activity in F1 5 dpf larvae, although it did not significantly alter serotonin, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, γ-aminobutyrate, and acetylcholine levels. Genes encoding DNA methylation transferases (dnmt3aa and dnmt1) were downregulated in F1 larvae. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing analysis revealed 446 differentially methylated regions and enriched neuronal cell body Gene Ontology term in F1 generation. Correlation analysis between the expression of genes related to neural cell body and swimming speed indicated that solute carrier family 1 member 2b (slc1a2b) downregulation might be responsible for the inhibition of motor behaviors. Furthermore, bisulfite amplicon sequencing analysis confirmed hypermethylation of the promoter region of slc1a2b in F1 larvae following parental exposure to 300 ng L−1 TDCIPP, which might have led to significant downregulation of gene expression and, in turn, influenced the motor behaviors. These results indicate that parental exposure to environmental concentrations of TDCIPP alters DNA methylation, downregulates gene expressions and, thus inducing developmental neurotoxicity, in F1 larvae.

Efficacy of Silymarin on Aflatoxin Residues in Eggs and Health Status of Laying Hens

The study aimed to evaluate the silymarin in reducing the aflatoxin (AF) residues in eggs and health status of laying hens. A total of 120 laying hensat the age of 240 days were randomly divided into three equal groups fed on diet with or without AF and 0.5% of silymarin. The residues of AF in the eggs were measured at the age of 260 and 280 days by using HPLC technique as well as, physiological tests. The results of the 3rd group showed a significant (P?0.05) increase in RBCs, PCV% and Hb, AST, ALT concentrations and Ab titer against ND and IB diseases as compared with the 2nd group and the control. Also, there was a significant (P?0.05) decrease in the concentrations of AF (B1) and (G1) in eggs at the age of 260 days as compared with the 2nd and the control

Determination of Polypeptide Antibiotic Residues in Food of Animal Origin by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A novel UHPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of polypeptide antibiotic residues in animal muscle, milk, and eggs was developed and validated. Bacitracin A, colistin A, colistin B, polymyxin B1, and polymyxin B2 were extracted from the samples with a mixture of acetonitrile/water/ammonia solution 25%, 80/10/10 (v/v/v), and put through further evaporation, reconstitution, and filtration steps. The chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column in gradient elution mode. Mass spectral acquisitions were performed in selective multiple reaction monitoring mode by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was validated according to the criteria of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The method quantifies polypeptides in a linear range from 10 to 1000 μg kg−1, where the lowest concentration on the calibration curve refers to the limit of quantification (LOQ). The recoveries ranged from 70 to 99%, the repeatability was below 13%, and within-laboratory reproducibility was lower than 15%. The decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) values were calculated, and ruggedness and stability studies were performed, to fulfill the criteria for confirmatory methods. Moreover, the developed method may also be used for screening purposes by its labor efficiency.

Development of a high performance liquid chromatographic method for detection of sulfonamide residues in egg

Development of a high performance liquid chromatographic method for detection of sulfonamide residues in egg

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of cyromazine and its derivative melamine in poultry meats and eggs

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with NH2 column and 75% acetonitrile eluate to determine the insecticide cyromazine residues in poultry meats and eggs was developed. Samples were treated with NaOH, extracted with acetonitrile containing 20% concentrated NH4OH, and cleaned up through C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The peaks of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine were successfully separated within 12 min and cleanly differentiated from interfering peaks of the samples. The detection limit of both compounds was 0.02 ppm. Recoveries of cyromazine and melamine ranged from 92.8-97.3% and 91.0-96.1% at fortified levels of 0.2-0.7 ppm, respectively. Each reaction coefficient of linear standard curve of cyromazine and melamine was better than 0.999. Using this HPLC determination, only one beef sample from 46 tested samples was detected to contain 0.04 ppm cyromazine. This was further confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

Levels and distribution pattern of organochlorine pesticide residues in eggs of 22 terrestrial birds from Tamil Nadu, India.

Long-term monitoring is essential to assess the patterns and distribution of the residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in biota. Bird eggs have several advantages than other environmental matrixes, which have been used extensively to portray the accumulation and distribution of OCPs. The present study investigated the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in eggs of 22 species of terrestrial birds collected from Tamil Nadu, India. Eggs found abandoned were collected during nest monitoring between 2001 and 2008 and analyzed for the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues. The results showed that the mean concentrations of total hexachlorohexane (∑HCHs), total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (∑DDTs), heptachlor epoxide, and dieldrin ranged from non-detectable (nd) to 2800ng/g, nd to1000 ng/g, nd to 700ng/g, and nd to 240ng/g on a wet mass (wm) basis, respectively. The variation in magnitude of contamination among the species and feeding guilds were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Among the OCPs analyzed, the residues of β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were found to be the abundant in concentration. Similarly, among various bird species studied, the highest concentrations of ∑OCPs (> 5000ng/g wm) were recorded in the eggs of gray junglefowl, scaly-breasted munia, and red-whiskered bulbul. This may be due to their widespread occurrence of their habitat at proximity to the agricultural fields, where organochlorines were in use until recently. Among the various contaminants analyzed, concentrations of p,p'-DDE and heptachlor epoxide exceeded the threshold levels of toxicity for wild birds in > 5% of the egg samples. Hence, this study indicates the need for continued monitoring and further systematic ecotoxicological investigation of these compounds not only in eggs but also in other environmental media.

Occurrence of Tetracycline Residue in Table Eggs and Genotoxic Effects of Raw and Heated Contaminated Egg Yolks on Hepatic Cells.

Background:This study measured tetracycline residue in table eggs sampled from Isfahan markets in 2015 and assessed the toxic effects of heated egg yolk on hepatic cellsMethods:Forty commercial and six locally produced eggs were randomly collected and tested for tetracycline resides using competitive ELISA with a mean recovery value of 65.22% and limit of detection (LOD) of 4 ng/g. For the seven most contaminated samples, albumen and yolk were examined individually and, despite the very low detected level in the yolk, the samples were subjected to boiling for 10 min. Finally, the DNA damaging properties of the raw or treated egg yolks on hepatic cells were investigated using the comet assay.Results:The residue levels ranged from <LOD to 9.77 ng/g with a mean value of 4.95 ng/g, which was far below the maximum residue level (MRL) of tetracycline in eggs (200 ng/g) established by the EFSA. The concentration of tetracycline residue in the albumin and yolk of the seven most contaminated samples was 4.75 ng/g and 6.83 ng/g, respectively, while boiling reduced it by 20%. Heat treatment induces DNA damage in HepG2 cells. Heating resulted in a marked increase in the comet length, % DNA in the tail, and tail moment parameters by 60%, 3000%, and 5000%, respectively.Conclusion:Despite the low concentration of tetracycline residue in samples, heat treatment can create degenerative compounds from tetracycline that can cause DNA damage in an in vitro model.

Assessing Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Eggs from Backyard Production Systems in Chile, First Approach to a Non-Addressed Issue in Farm Animals.

Simple SummaryEggs are a readily available and important food source for low income families that raise chicken in their households. It is therefore important to monitor if these products are safe for human consumption and contain no antibiotic residues that could lead to allergic reactions, intoxication, or antimicrobial resistance. However, little is known about the antimicrobial content of eggs consumed in rural households in Chile. Consequently, the aim of this study was to collect chicken eggs from rural households in the central region of Chile and screen them for antimicrobial activity. The results indicate that most collected eggs (73% of the 83 surveyed households), exhibited antimicrobial activity for at least one of the four tested antimicrobials. These results indicate that household members who consume these eggs are in danger of developing antibiotic-related illnesses and could contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, further studies are required to identify the exact compounds used to treat the chickens and to establish preventive measures to eradicate antimicrobial presence in their food supply.Eggs are the main product generated from backyard poultry production systems (BPS) because they can quickly be consumed and sold to meet essential family needs. Nevertheless, antimicrobial residues can accumulate in this product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of antimicrobial residues in eggs produced by poultry kept in BPS in central Chile. To assess this, eggs were obtained from 83 BPS and analysed to evaluate the presence of antibiotic residues (families: tetracyclines, beta-lactams, aminoglycosides and macrolides), using a Four-Plate Test screening method for the detection, based on a bacterial growth inhibition method. Results show a lack of biosecurity procedures at BPS level, making these systems susceptible to the dissemination of antimicrobial residues. These include intensive animal production units in the proximity, and the presence of shared watercourses with other farms. Furthermore, 66% of the surveyed owners are indicated as giving pharmacological treatments to their chickens. Eggs from 61 BPS were positive for at least one antimicrobial. Fifty-three BPS were positive for more than one antimicrobial, and one BPS was positive for all four antimicrobials tested. Consequently, there is a risk that poultry eggs produced in BPS in central Chile carry residues of different families of antimicrobials.

Food Risks on the Web: Analysis of the 2017 Fipronil Alert in the Italian Online Information Sources.

In the summer of 2017, several European Union Member States were involved in a food alert caused by the presence of fipronil pesticide residues in chicken eggs. The food alert became a major news and received wide coverage both in the mass media and on the Internet. This article describes a study that analyzed how the Italian online information sources represented the fipronil alert, using web monitoring techniques and both manual and automatic content analysis methods. The results indicate that the alert was amplified because general news media could represent the alert within the frame of a political scandal, and because different social actors exploited the case. However, online information sources correctly communicated that the risks for consumers were low, reporting mainly what was officially communicated by the Italian health authorities. The study provides empirical evidence on how the online information sources represent food risks and food alerts and offers useful indications for health authorities in charge of the public communication of food risks.