Risk assessment of residues of coccidiostats in food 14 years after the introduction of maximum levels

Abstract

To ensure food safety, coccidiostats’ residue levels in food of animal origin are monitored to see if they comply with the established Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and Maximum Levels (ML). The incidence of non-compliant (exceeding permitted limits) results in Europe dropped from 1.01% in 2009 to 0.13% in 2021. Nicarbazin, narasin, lasalocid, and salinomycin were the most frequently reported analytes. During monitoring in Poland in 2016–2022, 14.3% positive samples (above LOQ), and 0.85% non-compliant samples were reported, mostly in eggs and poultry. Based on data collected in Polish monitoring, a risk assessment was performed. In the worst-case, estimated daily intake (EDI) exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) only for toltrazuril, up to three times in every assessed age group. In the average scenario, EDIs of all assessed coccidiostats (decoquinate, diclazuril, lasalocid, nicarbazin, robenidine, salinomycin, and toltrazuril) were well below their corresponding ADIs. The results indicate no direct health risk resulting from the consumption of food of animal origin.