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Antibiotic Residues in Livestock Meat: Challenges and Strategies for Reducing Them
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Zahra Naziri *   , Zahra Gholizadeh Farshi |
| Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran |
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Abstract: |
| In recent decades, the need to increase meat production to meet the needs of a growing population has led to the widespread use of antibiotics in the livestock industry. Although these drugs play an important role in controlling infectious diseases in livestock, their residues in livestock products have raised serious public health concerns. This narrative review was written to investigate antibiotic residues in livestock meat, their effects on humans, and methods for reducing these residues. In the present study, a search for articles published between 2008 and 2024 was conducted in the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "Antimicrobial resistance," "Drug residues," "Drug residue reduction," and "Livestock products." Data show that common antibiotics such as tetracyclines, quinolones, and penicillins remain in animal tissues and are transferred to humans thru the food chain, potentially causing allergic reactions, antimicrobial resistance, and disruption of the gut microbiota. Despite the establishment of maximum residue limits by international organizations, the implementation of these regulations in some countries, including Iran, is challenging. Qualitative detection of drug residues is carried out using microbiological and immunological methods, while quantitative detection is performed by mass spectrometry. Thermal processes like cooking and boiling can help reduce the concentration of these residues. To reduce the risks of antibiotic residues in meat for consumers and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance, it is necessary to develop stricter policies on the use of veterinary drugs, strengthen monitoring systems, and develop effective methods for removing drug residues from livestock products. |
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| Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Drug residues, Drug residue reduction, Livestock products |
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
General
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