Residues in pork meat : results of initiatives between 2001 and 2004

The screening of residues in animal-origin foodstuffs is governed by European Directive 96/23/EC dated 29 April, 1996. The residues may stem from veterinary drugs, banned substances or environmental contaminants. In Europe, there are stringent regulations on veterinary pharmacy in order to control residual contents of veterinary medicines in foodstuffs at every level of the food production chain. Any substance for which an MRL (maximum residue limit) cannot be determined is banned from animal production. For residues of veterinary drugs, if banned substances are detected, then the sample is deemed non-conform, regardless of the concentration. For residues of environmental contaminants (heavy metals, dioxins, pesticides), there are strict regulations governing the maximum acceptable contents defined. The results of the French monitoring plans on residues in pork meat for 2001 to 2004 show that the vast majority of samples were conform.