β-agonists Fast Track

β-Agonists (beta-agonists or beta-adrenergic agonists) are used in veterinary medicine to treat pulmonary disorders but have also been used illegally as growth promoters for more efficient meat production. In the United States, β-agonists are approved by the FDA for use in cattle, as they have been demonstrated to increase muscle growth and may also reduce fat accumulation. Their use can decrease feed requirements to produce the same quantity of beef. However, analysis has demonstrated increased mortality in cattle as a result, raising animal welfare concerns regarding their use.

Veterinary therapeutic use of β-agonists has only been approved in the case of clenbuterol for bronchodilatation in horses and for tocolysis in calves. β-agonists have not been permitted within the European Union for growth-promoting purposes in farm animals because of the potential risks to both human and animal health.

This test screens for the presence of the following β-agonist compounds: Bromobuterol, Cimaterol, Cimbuterol, Clenbuterol, Clenpenterol, Clenproperol, Hydroxymethylclenbuterol, Isoxsuprine, Mabuterol, Mapenterol, Ractopamine, Ritodrine, Salbutamol, Salmeterol, Terbutaline, Tulobuterol and Zilpaterol.

Testing is undertaken in a range of sample matrices, including but not limited to dairy products, muscle, liver, water and urine.

Screening food samples is essential to ensure compliance with regulations, both for food producers within the EU and for checking residues in imported food products from countries where their use may be permitted. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 for clenbuterol only, in cattle and horses. For clenbuterol, MRLs have been established in muscle, kidney, liver and milk.

Surveillance for the presence of residues of veterinary agents in food-producing animals and meat is regulated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1644 Annex I, which contains specific guidelines for sampling procedures on farms and in slaughterhouses.

The analytical method used at Fera is based on sample extraction with overnight enzyme hydrolysis using β-Glucuronidase. Testing is carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Fera’s food safety experts use established, accredited analytical testing methods to detect and quantify β-agonist residues within your food samples. We provide the evidence required by regulators to verify that levels of β-agonist residues within your food products are compliant.

Our analytical methods are validated in accordance with the principles set out in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

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.