NVWA finds medicine residue in beef

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has found excessive concentrations of (prohibited) medicine residues in beef. It concerns limited excesses of anti-inflammatories, painkillers and antibiotics. The violations came to light in a research project with an innovative detection method. Although there is a minimal risk to public health, the NVWA is enforcing strictly. Therefore, the meat still present in the chain will be withdrawn from the market.

Of the total of 240 test samples taken, almost 50 were found to contain traces of medicine residues. Most of them were in very low doses, which could have various causes. In a number of animals, recent administration is suspected. The presence of the substances has now been traced back to a dozen animals. These had either exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) for painkillers and/or a positive sample for antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory which may not be used in cattle.

Withdrawing beef from the market

Because of the banned substances found, the NVWA ordered the recall of any meat still present in the chain. This is a violation of the food safety rules (according to European Regulation 2019/2090). It concerns animals that were slaughtered in January 2022. The producer is responsible for the quality and safety of his products and for retrieving them. The NVWA will supervise this. At the same time, the NVWA has started an investigation into the farms where the animals originated, the transport and the food chain information provided.

Nvwa.nl