FSIS Adopts New Residue Test

August 24, 2006 — 

The USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a directive notifying the agency's inspection personnel about the decision to adopt the Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test (FAST) in swine, as well as cattle, slaughter plants to screen for antimicrobial residues.

The FSIS will phase out the Swab Test on Premises (STOP) test it currently uses and begin using the FAST test in livestock including sheep, goats and horses. The Directive also outlines the conditions warranting antimicrobial residue sampling and product retention.

According to Directive 10,220.3, when inspection program personnel suspect, based on herd history or antemortem or postmortem examination, that the animals may have illegal levels of antimicrobial drug residues, Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) are to conduct an in-plant screening test to determine whether they will need to submit a sample to an FSIS Laboratory for further testing. The PHV is looking for indications of illegal chemical use or exposure and will collect tissue samples for residue analysis as part of verification of the food safety system. Observations of injection sites/signs of treatment, recent surgery, septicemia/pyemia, or animals identified at ante-mortem as "U.S. Suspect" will always indicate that residue testing is appropriate. In addition, the following conditions and pathologies warrant testing for possible antimicrobial residues: mastitis, metritis, peritonitis and surgery, injection sites, pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis, endocarditis, injury or inflammation, acute cellulitis, suspicion of beta-agonist use (e.g. show animals) and signs of treatment.

The Directive goes on to note that Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) (e.g. flunixin) are not detected by the in-plant screen tests. If the PHV suspects the use of NSAIDs, samples must be taken and carcasses retained until laboratory confirmation has been received.

Source:
FSIS, Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development