2. Microbiological methods for detecting traces of antibiotics in foodstuffs

by Corinne DANAN and Jean-Pierre MORÉTAIN

Antibiotics for farm animals can be used for therapeutic or metaphylactic purposes, to prevent certain infections. Antibiotics can generate residues (parent substances or metabolites) which may be found in foodstuffs produced from treated animals, in the event of irrational use or errors in animal husbandry (e.g. failure to observe withdrawal times). The main risks to human health are the development of allergic reactions and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The presence of traces of antibiotics in raw materials can also have significant technological and economic repercussions. It can disrupt the manufacturing processes of food products requiring the use of specific ferments (cheeses, fermented milks, charcuterie). Antibiotic content also affects milk prices. Furthermore, in terms of microbiological control of a food product,...