Tetracycline residues in foods from animals - A critical appraisal

Veterinary drugs. largely antibiotics are administered to food animals grown by intensive animal husbandry practices for health protection. maintenance and growth promotion. Violative drug residues in human food commodities from such animals are a global human health concern. In this appraisal, present status and future trends in several aspects of tetracycline (TC) group of antibiotics including their properties, sources, reasons for violation, residues, contamination in foods of animal origin, human health concern, regulations, pharmacokinetics and residue degradation have been reviewed. To protect the consumers' health as well as to enhance the export of animal food commodities, formulation of national regulations, implementation of good animal husbandry practices and development of infrastructure for residue surveillance as well as analytical facilities are of utmost concern in developing countries like India. Development of newer antimicrobial compounds having mode of action entirely different from the existing ones as well as 'combination therapy' needs to be encouraged to tackle the global threat from antibiotic resistance by pathogens. Chemical, biochemical, microbial and physical remediation of TC residues in foods of animal origin may also be exploited.