EFSA unveils comprehensive report on veterinary drug residues in food for 2023

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its annual report on veterinary medicinal product residues and certain substances in live animals and their products, revealing a continued trend of high compliance with regulatory limits. The findings, drawn from data collected across EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway, indicate that the percentage of non-compliant samples remains exceptionally low at just 0.11%, with 602 out of 548 194 total samples exceeding permissible limits.  

The report introduces a revised framework for analyzing residue data, categorizing samples into three distinct control plans:  
- National Risk-Based Control Plan for Production: 284 850 samples were collected under this plan, which reported a non-compliance rate of 0.15%.  
- National Randomized Surveillance Plan: This plan involved 13 709 samples and showed a slightly higher non-compliance rate of 0.29%.  
- National Risk-Based Control Plan for Third-Country Imports: A total of 5 162 samples were taken under this plan, yielding a non-compliance rate of 0.23%.  

Additionally, following up on previous non-compliance cases, 8 741 suspect samples were also reported, of which 100 (1.14%) were found to be non-compliant. Furthermore, 235 732 samples were collected in the framework of other programmes developed under the national legislation of which 18 samples (0.01%) were non-compliant.  

The report is instrumental for risk managers within the European Commission and Member States, aiding in the evaluation of existing control plans aimed at regulating pharmacologically active substances in the food supply. By analyzing these trends, authorities can take informed steps to enhance food safety and minimize non-compliance in future years.  

The report further underscores the importance of adhering to the EU's legislative framework, which sets maximum residue limits for veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs. Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 outlines these limits, while Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 addresses pesticide residues in both plant and animal products. The recent Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1646 provides practical guidelines for official controls concerning the use of veterinary medicines.  

In 2023, compliance with sampling frequency requirements established under the regulation was largely met across participating countries. It is important to note that, due to the shift in regulatory frameworks, a direct year-on-year comparison with data gathered under the previous Council Directive 96/23/EC is not feasible.  

This report not only highlights the ongoing commitment of EU countries to uphold food safety standards but also illustrates the effectiveness of established control measures. As the landscape of food safety continues to evolve, the insights from this report will be crucial in guiding future policies and regulatory actions to ensure the safety of food products across Europe.    

Source:  

EFSA