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On 22 March 2005, following routine surveillance tests on
local poultry farms, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) found
residues of banned compounds (nitrofurans and chloramphenicol) and improper
usage of doxycycline in eggs produced by a local farm, N & N Agriculture Farm. |
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As the use of banned antibiotics is an unacceptable farm
practice, AVA has immediately suspended N & N Agriculture Farm from selling
their eggs and taking any birds or eggs out of the farm. All eggs produced on
the farm will be destroyed under AVA supervision. The suspension will remain
in place and only be lifted when AVA is satisfied that the farm has fully
complied with AVA’s requirements. |
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Upon AVA’s notification, local supermarkets and other
retailers have started to voluntarily withdraw N & N Agriculture Farm eggs
from sale. |
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AVA would like to inform those who may have consumed N & N
eggs recently that there is no cause for alarm. AVA’s earlier routine tests on
eggs from the same farm did not detect any residues up to early March this
year. The levels of residues of nitrofurans and chloramphenicol in the eggs
that tested positive were low, and will not have any adverse health effect
unless consumed over a prolonged period. Taking such eggs occasionally or over
a short term will not be a health risk. |
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Although N & N Agriculture Farm produces about 8% of our
egg supply, the suspension will not cause a shortage of egg supply in the
market. Eggs from other local farms and accredited farms in Malaysia can
easily make up for any shortfall immediately. |
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Additional Information |
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Nitrofurans and chloramphenicol are banned for use in
food-producing animals in Singapore and many other countries. Prolonged
consumption of food products contaminated with residues of the banned drugs
may lead to adverse health effects. |
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Nitrofurans have the potential to cause cancer with
long-term use while chloramphenicol could cause blood disorders. Doxycyclines,
a member of tetracyclines, can be used in poultry under proper dosage regimes
and withdrawal periods. |
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A withdrawal period between the treatment of the animals
and the marketing of food products from the treated animals must be followed
to ensure that residue levels are within safe limits. |
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Issued by Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Ministry of National Development
on 23 March 2005 |
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Source:
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority Press Release 23 Mar 2005 |
Suspension of N & N Agriculture Farm
