Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides (AGs) — Test Code VM00001

Fera’s food safety experts use accredited analytical methods to detect and quantify aminoglycoside (AG) residues across a wide range of food matrices. This testing supports regulatory compliance and helps prevent costly product withdrawals.

Aminoglycosides are antibacterial agents used in both human and veterinary medicine. In veterinary settings they treat bacterial and protozoal infections in aquaculture, livestock and poultry. Risk assessments indicate a high probability of AG resistance transferring from animals to humans through food-borne bacteria or their mobile genetic elements.

This screen includes: Apramycin, Dihydrostreptomycin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Paromomycin, Spectinomycin and Streptomycin. Fera can analyse muscle (cattle), kidney (cattle, pig, sheep), fish, milk, milk powder, shellfish and honey.

Examples include Streptomycin, used to treat bacterial infections in cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry, and Neomycin, used for gastrointestinal infections across multiple species. Extensive use is associated with the development of resistant bacterial strains.

Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for individual AGs are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 for muscle, kidney, liver, milk and fat/skin. Some AGs—such as Apramycin—are subject to additional restrictions under Article 14(7) of Regulation (EC) 470/2009, preventing use in animals producing milk for human consumption.

Testing is carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Methods are validated in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Confirmatory Analysis

If required, confirmatory analysis is charged at the same rate as the primary test. We will contact you before proceeding. Results will be delivered within 10 working days of your instruction.

Submitting your Sample

Please include a completed food sample submission form when sending your samples. Missing information may delay processing.

Download the food sample submission form here.

β-Agonists — Test Code VM00004

β-Agonists (beta-adrenergic agonists) are used therapeutically in veterinary medicine to treat pulmonary disorders, but some compounds have been used illegally as growth promoters to increase muscle mass and reduce fat deposition. While β-agonists are approved for use in cattle in the United States to improve feed efficiency, increased mortality has been reported, raising welfare concerns.

In the European Union, β-agonists are not permitted for growth-promoting purposes because of risks to human and animal health. Therapeutic use is restricted to clenbuterol, authorised only for bronchodilatation in horses and for tocolysis in calves.

This test screens for: Bromobuterol, Cimaterol, Cimbuterol, Clenbuterol, Clenpenterol, Clenproperol, Hydroxymethylclenbuterol, Isoxsuprine, Mabuterol, Mapenterol, Ractopamine, Ritodrine, Salbutamol, Salmeterol, Terbutaline, Tulobuterol and Zilpaterol.

Testing can be performed on dairy products, muscle, liver, water and urine.

Screening is essential to ensure compliance, particularly for products imported from regions where β-agonist use is permitted. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 for clenbuterol only, with limits set for muscle, liver, kidney and milk in cattle and horses.

Residue surveillance in food-producing animals and meat is governed by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1644 Annex I, which sets specific requirements for sampling on farms and in slaughterhouses.

The analytical method used at Fera is based on sample extraction followed by overnight enzyme hydrolysis using β-glucuronidase. Analysis is performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Methods are validated in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Fera’s food safety experts provide the accredited evidence needed to verify that β-agonist residues in your food products meet regulatory standards.