Coccidiostats (Multi-residue)

Coccidiostats are a group of drugs used in veterinary medicine as antiprotozoal agents. They are used extensively to treat coccidiosis, a common parasitic disease in poultry, typically through addition to poultry feed. Veterinary medicines offer key advantages in maintaining livestock quantity and quality, most notably through disease prevention. These advantages can sometimes 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 in humans due to residues present in food. This has led to a need for analytical methods to monitor and assess the risks posed by coccidiostat residues found in food and foodstuffs.

Regulatory limits strictly control the use of coccidiostats, with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010 for individual coccidiostats across a range of food-producing species. MRLs have been established in muscle, kidney, liver, milk and fat/skin.

Maximum Limits (MLs) have also been established for several coccidiostats based on unavoidable carry-over into non-target feed and food, for example under Commission Regulation (EU) 124/2009.

This test screens for the presence of the following coccidiostats: Decoquinate, Diclazuril, Dinitrocarbanilide (Nicarbazin), Halofuginone, Imidocarb, Lasalocid, Maduramicin, Monensin, Narasin, Robenidine, Salinomycin, Semduramicin and Toltrazuril Sulfone. For a small additional charge, a multi-residue screen is also available.

The analytical method used at Fera is based on sample extraction using QuEChERS methodology. Testing is then 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 coccidiostat residues within your food samples. We provide the evidence required by regulators to verify that levels of coccidiostat 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).

Multi-Residue Option

This test is available as a standalone analysis or as part of our broader veterinary medicines multi-residue screen.

See what’s included in our Multi-residue screen (Option 2).

Confirmatory Analysis

Where 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.