RESIDUES OF ANTIBIOTICS AND SULPHONAMIDES IN HONEY ON THE BELGIAN MARKET

Abstract

Samples of locally produced honey and imported honey were monitored for the presence of residues of streptomycins, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, β-lactams and chloramphenicol. Streptomycins, tetracyclines, sulphonamides (whole group) and βlactams were determined with the respective Charm II test (Charm Sciences Inc., USA). For the determination of chloramphenicol the Chloramphenicol EIA test kit (EuroDiagnostica b.v., Nl) was used. The detection capability was respectively 15 µg/kg streptomycin, 10 µg/kg chlortetracycline, 10 µg/kg sulfamethazine, 10 µg/kg penicillin G and 0.1 µg/kg chloramphenicol. Residues of veterinary drugs were found in a very limited number of honey samples produced by Belgian (mainly Flemish) beekeepers, namely: streptomycins 4 out of 248 samples (1.6%), tetracyclines 2 out of 72 samples (2.8%) and sulphonamides 3 out of 72 samples (4.2%). No residues of β-lactams (50 samples) and chloramphenicol (93 samples) were found. However, in imported (industrial and table) honey samples available on the Belgian market, residues were frequently found: streptomycins 51 out of 108 samples (47.2%), tetracyclines 29 out of 98 samples (29.6%), sulphonamides 31 out of 98 samples (31.6%) and chloramphenicol 40 out of 85 samples (47.1%). No β-lactams (18 samples) were found. Following the European legislation (EEC-Regulation 2377/90 and amendments) no MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) are fixed for anti-infectious agents in honey and therefore the use of antibiotics is not accepted in apiculture. The Scientific Committee of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) advised the