Antibiotics and food

Antibiotics are used to maintain the health of animals and as a result low residues of antibiotics may be present in some of the food we eat.

Standard 1.4.2 in the Food Standards Code  list the maximum permissable limits for residues in food.  Food legislation makes it illegal for food to be sold if it contains residues in excess of these limits.  These limits are the maximum residues that could result if an antibiotic is used legally ( they do not represent the residues that are always present in the food we eat and in most cases the residues are very much lower).

Before an antibiotic can be legally used, the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) must be satisfied that the use of the product will not result in residues being  an undue risk to the safety of people. FSANZ also ensures that the potential residues in treated food do not represent an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.  FSANZ will not recommend approval of a limit for any such chemical where this could pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

State and territory agriculture departments are responsible for controlling and monitoring the use of antibiotic products.  In addition, surveys such as the Australian National Residue Survey monitor residues of antibiotics in food and check compliance with the limits set in the Food Standards Code. 

Consumers select foods according to taste, price, quality and production process, and FSANZ encourages consumers to choose a varied, balanced and healthy diet that meets their individual needs.  Consumers can have confidence that Australian meat complies with the highest safety standards. 

FSANZ recognises that consumers may choose to avoid food containing antibiotic residues for a variety of reasons. However, FSANZ does not consider that there are public health reasons why food containing low levels of antibiotic residues or food produced with legally registered antibiotics should be avoided.

While recognising that most of the issues associated with antibiotics in food relate to the use in agriculture of antibiotic products, FSANZ is working with other government agencies and departments to develop a 'whole of government' strategy to implement the recommendations of the JETACAR report.