Evidence of natural occurrence of the banned antibiotic chloramphenicol in herbs and grass

Abstract

Chloramphenicol (CAP), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, was detected in several herb and grass samples from different geographic origins. Due to its suspected carcinogenicity and linkages with the development of aplastic anemia in humans, CAP is banned for use in food-producing animals in the European Union (EU) and many other countries. However, products of animal origin originating from Asian countries entering the European market are still found noncompliant (containing CAP) on a regular basis, even when there is no history of chloramphenicol use in these countries. A possible explanation for the continued detection of these residues is the natural occurrence of CAP in plant material which is used as animal feed, with the consequent transfer of the substance to the animal tissues. Approximately 110 samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection. In 26 samples, the presence of CAP was confirmed using the criteria for banned substances defined by the EU. Among other plant materials, samples of the Artemisia family retrieved from Mongolia and from Utah, USA, and a therapeutic herb mixture obtained from local stores in the Netherlands proved to contain CAP at levels ranging from 0.1 to 450 µg/kg. These findings may have a major impact in relation to international trade and safety to the consumer. The results of this study demonstrate that noncompliant findings in animal-derived food products may in part be due to the natural occurrence of chloramphenicol in plant material. This has implications for the application of current EU, USA, and other legislation and the interpretation of analytical results with respect to the consideration of CAP as a xenobiotic veterinary drug residue and the regulatory actions taken upon its detection in food.

Comparison of the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from commercial-layer and free-range chickens in Arusha district, Tanzania

“…It is also possible that unintentional chloramphenicol exposure occurs infrequently (Levy and Marshall, 2004). For example, Berendsen et al (2010) reported natural occurrence of chloramphenicol in plants in Mongolia and the Netherlands. No farmer was found to use chloramphenicol for the current study.…”

Antibiotic use and practices in commercial poultry laying hens in Ogun State Nigeria

“…Furazolidone is mostly used by farmers in the treatment of salmonellosis as the drug is commonly called a 'wonder drug'. Furazolidone and chloramphenicol in food-producing animals are banned in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union because of their carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and linkages with the development of aplastic anemia in humans (Berendsen et al, 2010;Kabir et al, 2004). Farm owners also administered antibiotics without veterinary consultation mainly because of the cost of veterinary services.…”

Development of a multi-class method for the identification and quantification of residues of antibiotics, coccidiostats and corticosteroids in milk by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

“…Application of a higher dose than that recommended, failure respecting proper withdrawal times, or irresponsible use of the veterinary drugs can result in the occurrence of unwanted residues of drugs in food of animal origin (Shao et al, 2009). The presence of veterinary drugs in food and foodstuffs has been frequently reported (Bando, Oliveira, Ferreira, & Machinski, 2009;Berendsen et al, 2010;Lopez, Pettis, Smith, & Chu, 2008;Sheridan, Policastro, Thomas, & Rice, 2008). Residues of drugs in food can endanger consumers' health.…”