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China Strengthens Restrictions on Veterinary Drug Residues in Food

China's newly issued veterinary drug residue in food standard stipulates an increased scope and heightened restrictions on 2,191 items of 267 kinds of veterinary drugs in livestock, poultry products, aquatic products and other foods.

On October 8, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (hereinafter MOARA)[1], the National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly issued the "National Food Safety Standard Maximum Residue Limit of Veterinary Drugs", which will enter into effect on April 1st, 2020.

This new standard stipulates restrictions on 2,191 items of 267 kinds of veterinary drugs in livestock, poultry products, aquatic products and other foods, and regulates the requirements for their use, basically covering the common veterinary drugs in China and the main food animals and foods derived from these animals.

According to the report, the newly released standard has three highlights: 

1. The variety and quantity of veterinary drugs covered increased significantly.

Compared with the now-disbanded Ministry of Agriculture's (MOARA) announcement No.235 "Maximum Residue Limit of Veterinary Drugs in Animal Derived Food", the new standards increased the scope of veterinary drug varieties subject to restrictions and stipulates more stringent limitations.

2. The standard fully aligns with international standards.

The newly released standards adopt the strictest standards of CAC and developed countries or regions such as the EU and the US. For example, the set residual limit value is 90% consistent with CAC veterinary drug residual limit values. Furthermore, more than 10 kinds of veterinary drugs which pose significant food safety risks, such as ofloxacin, will be subject to heightened restrictions or outright bans.

3. The new standard is more scientific and rigorous than before.

The formulation of this standard was conducted based on the actual problems facing China's food sector and was also refined based on extensive feedback from industry, private sector experts, the public and WTO members. In general, the new standards will replace the corresponding part of the MOARA Announcement No. 235. In the next 3 to 5 years, MOARA, together with relevant departments, will continuously improve the veterinary drug residue standard system.

To acquire the complete document of MOARA Notification No.235, please click here.

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