Coccidiostats (Multi-residue)

Fera’s food safety experts use accredited analytical methods to detect and quantify coccidiostat residues across a wide range of food matrices. We provide the robust, regulatory-ready evidence required to verify compliance and protect consumers.

Coccidiostats are antiprotozoal agents widely used in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat coccidiosis, a common parasitic disease in poultry. They are typically administered via feed and are authorised in the EU as feed additives for poultry and rabbits. While these medicines play an important role in maintaining animal health and productivity, overuse can increase consumer exposure to residues.

Residues of veterinary drugs, including coccidiostats, may cause physiological effects in humans if consumed at elevated levels. Sensitive analytical methods are therefore essential to monitor residues at trace concentrations and assess any associated risk.

Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for individual coccidiostats are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 37/2010. Limits apply to a range of tissues including muscle, kidney, liver, milk and fat/skin. Additional Maximum Limits (MLs) have been established under Commission Regulation (EU) 124/2009 to account for unavoidable carry-over into non-target food categories.

This screen includes the following coccidiostats: Decoquinate, Diclazuril, Dinitrocarbanilide (nicarbazin), Halofuginone, Imidocarb, Lasalocid, Maduramicin, Monensin, Narasin, Robenidine, Salinomycin, Semduramicin and Toltrazuril sulfone.

Fera can analyse a wide range of food products including poultry, game, red meat, offal, eggs and milk.

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).

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.