Fera food scientists are able to highlight, quantify and provide evidence for regulators of the levels of a range of coccidostats, within a variety of foodstuffs. In this test we report on the following veterinary medicines; Decoquinate, Diclazuril, Dinitrocarbanilide [nicarbazin], Halofuginone, Imidocarb, Lasalocid, Maduramicin, Monensin, Narasin, Robenidine, Salinomycin, Semduramicin, Toltrazuril sulfone. For a small additional charge - a multi-residue screen is also available. To find out more details click here.

Coccidiostats are a group of drugs used to as antiprotozoal agents. They are used extensively to treat coccidiosis, a common parasitic disease of poultry, typically by being added as additives to feed. In the EU, 11 coccidiostats are currently authorised as feed additives for poultry and rabbits. Veterinary medicines offer key advantages when maintaining livestock quantity and quality, most notably through disease prevention. These advantages can often lead to overuse across the agri-food sector, which may put consumers at risk.

Veterinary drug residues, when consumed in significant quantities, can result in physiological effects being shared in humans due to residues in human food. Leading to a need for analytical methods, to monitor for this agent at trace residue levels.

As a result, legislative bodies charged with maintaining the safety of foodstuffs offered to consumers have defined Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for a range of residues. MRLs for coccidiostats are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 (or as amended), which apply to a range of tissues from food-producing species. MRLs have also been set for several coccidiostats based on the unavoidable carry-over from non-target food e.g. Commission Regulation (EU) 124/2009 (or as amended).

Fera can accurately analyse samples, including poultry, game, red meat, offal, eggs and milk, for residues of drugs in the benzimidazole group to ensure that any of your food products do not breach the required regulatory limits.

Testing is carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and has been validated in accordance with the principles set out in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, for the majority of analyte / matrix combinations. This analysis method is accredited to ISO17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

Multi-Residue Option

As well as being purchasable standalone, this test is also included as part of our multi-residue screen process, which includes a broader range of veterinary residues.

See what’s included in our Multi-residue screen (Option 2) here.

Confirmatory Analysis

Confirmatory analysis, where required, will be at the same value as the analysis performed. Fera will contact you beforehand to establish if the additional analysis is required. The delivery time for confirmatory results will be 10 working days from your instruction to proceed.