Fera scientists can analyse food samples to detect residues from quinolones (and fluoroquinolones). We can also provide the evidence required by regulators to validate the levels of quinolones within your food products.

Quinolones are broad spectrum antibiotics often used to treat bacterial infections in a wide variety of food-producing animals. Veterinary medicines such as quinolones, 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. As a result, the concern about the possible occurrence of residues of this drug in human food has produced 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 quinolones are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 (or as amended).

Fera can accurately analyse samples, including poultry, game, red meat, offal, shellfish, fish, eggs, honey and milk, for residues of drugs in the quinolone 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 1) 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.