Chemical Contamination of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products

FSIS conducts tests for chemicals—including antibiotics, sulfonamides, and various other drugs, pesticides and environmental chemicals—in meat, poultry and egg products destined for human consumption. FSIS also conducts studies to determine presence of contaminants such as dioxin.

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Residue Testing; National Residue Program
Screening Tests
Dioxins
Melamine

RESIDUE TESTING; NATIONAL RESIDUE PROGRAM

National Residue Program Sampling Plan ("Blue Book")
This page contains a description of the FSIS National Residue Program, as well as links to the Program Plans for the past several years.

National Residue Program Data ("Red Book") (PDF Only; 1.81mb; 178 pp.)
The Red Book explains FSIS' chemical residue sampling plans and presents National Residue Program (NRP) testing results for 2007.

Red Books from prior years (1996-2006)

Residue Violator Alert List (Updated Aug 1, 2009; PDF Only)
This list contains the names and addresses of those parties responsible for repeat drug, pesticide, or chemical violations in animals presented for slaughter. It is updated monthly. "Repeat violators" are individuals or firms who repeatedly (i.e., on more than one occasion within a 12-month period) sell an animal for slaughter whose carcass is found to contain a violative level of a drug, pesticide, or other chemical residue; provided, however, that the most recent such sale occurred no earlier than September 6, 2001.

Same Source Supplier - Residue Violator List (Updated Aug 21, 2009; PDF Only)
This list contains access information to help plant owners and operators as well as inspection personnel identify residue history of livestock suppliers.

Residue Related Notices & Directives
View a consolidated listing of Federal Register and FSIS Notices related to residue testing policy.

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SCREENING TESTS

Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test (FAST) (PDF Only)
Guidance document used as an aid in determining the disposition of single animals. FAST can be applied any time the veterinarian suspects the presence of an antimicrobial residue.

Performing the Swab Test on Premises (STOP) (PDF Only)
The STOP is a microbiological in-plant screening test for the detection of antibiotic residues in animal tissues.

DIOXINS

Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds In the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply (PDF Only)
FSIS conducted a survey to gather information on dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like PCBs in U.S. meat and poultry products as part of a continuing effort to understand and characterize potential contaminants in the food supply.

MELAMINE

FSIS Testing Results for Melamine in Retail Meat and Poultry (May 2009; PDF Only)
FSIS collected retail samples of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products to test for the presence of melamine. This action was prompted by public health concerns regarding melamine contamination of imported milk-derived food ingredients in FDA-regulated products. None of the products tested by FSIS posed a public health concern.

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Last Modified: August 24, 2009


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