USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is strengthening residue surveillance to detect veterinary drugs used to treat or prevent New World screwworm (NWS) in livestock.
While NWS itself poses no food safety risk in meat or poultry, FSIS said residues from drugs used against the parasite could present chemical hazards. FSIS updated two residue-testing methods July 17 to detect additional substances associated with newly approved or authorized drugs.
Beginning Sept. 1, FSIS will also increase routine residue testing at livestock slaughter plants in targeted regions. FSIS will publish findings in its quarterly National Residue Program reports.
