The company's recent addition of coccidiostats builds on an extensive platform of drug residue screening products used within the industry.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease with symptoms normally including bloody droppings, weight loss and mortality in young chickens. To prevent infection, farmers administer prophylactic antiprotozoal coccidiostats in feed, increasing the chances of residues being retained in poultry meat or eggs. To reduce the risk of toxicity to consumers, regulatory authorities set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLS) recommending an appropriate withdrawal period prior to slaughter.

Within the antimicrobial family, sulphonamides are widely used in global food production to treat/prevent infections. However, serious health concerns exist over human consumption and the development of antibiotic resistance, with MRLs introduced in many countries.

Joanne McKnight, Meat & Seafood Development Manager said: “With the global appetite for poultry meat increasing by 50 per cent since 2000, the pressure on producers is ever increasing. That can lead to over-cramped conditions perfectly suited to the spread of diseases amongst flocks.

“With a solid core of antimicrobial products such as sulphonamides already in place, Randox Food Diagnostics is committed to enhancing its product range for poultry producers, with coccidiostats the latest addition in this process.”

Tel: +44 (0)28 9442 2413 - www.randoxfooddiagnostics.com - [email protected].