March 12, 2008

Australia considering allowing sales of antibiotic-tainted prawns
 

Australia's food regulator is considering permitting sales of antibiotic-contaminated prawns.

An application to set a maximum residue limit for the antibiotic oxytetracycline in prawns have been submitted by the Food and Beverage Importers Association, and it has been supported by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

There are no such limits as antibiotic contamination is considered as unacceptable. However, FSANZ do not think there will be health issues associated with the requested residue limit of 0.2mg per kg. 

Minute levels of oxytetracycline have already been permitted for fish, a FSANZ spokeswoman pointed out.

Antibiotic contamination has been a concern as over consumption of them could lead to immunity in human bodies over time. FSANZ responded to this concern by saying that oxytetracycline was not used to treat people therefore it would be of no harm.

Some countries have already permitted maximum residue limit, including Thailand from which Australia imports prawns.

Last year, the Australian government released a survey that reveals 31 percent of seafood samples from Asia contained low levels of antibiotics or anti-microbial agents. In response, the government promised to increase testing of imported seafood.