Fera food scientists are able to identify and quantify the levels of tetracyclines and their epimers, within a range of foodstuffs. We can also provide the evidence required by regulators to verify the levels of tetracyclines within your food products.

Tetracyclines are broad spectrum antibiotics often used to treat skin, chest, urethral and pelvic infections in a wide variety of food-producing animals. 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. 

Fera's comprehensive screen includes the following tetracyclines: Chlortetracycline, epi-Chlortetracycline, Doxycycline, Oxytetracycline, epi-Oxytetracycline, Tetracycline, and epi-Tetracycline.

Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for tetracyclines are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 (or as amended) , which applies to all food-producing species. MRLs have been set in eggs, muscle, liver, kidney and milk for chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline, with a residue definition which includes the corresponding epimers. MRLs have been set for fat, liver, kidney and muscle for doxycycline.

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.

The analysis 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.