August 13, 2007

Advanced Analytical Molecular Services
We provide our clients with an extensive range of advanced analytical techniques.

While the levels of antibiotic residues are not considered a food safety issue, there are significant risks associated with the use of fluoroquinolones in particular in food animals as its use may increase antibiotic resistance of micro-organisms to this class of antibiotics with subsequent inability to use this critically important class of antibiotics in human medicine. Antibiotics of any type should not be detectable in imported seafood.

AQIS has announced the need for an increased range of antibiotic testing by the end of August in all imported seafood. Although the Fluroquinolones are used and permitted in Chinese aquaculture and other antibiotics may be used in Asian aquaculture, in Australia, currently AQIS regularly tests 5% of a random selection of imported seafood from all sources for the presence of Nitrofuran and Chloramphenicol only (see www.aqis.gov.au). None of these antibiotics are permitted for use in seafood in Australia and the announcement follows on previous announcements by the USFDA ( www.fda.gov) who have announced increased testing of imported seafood into the USA following similar surveys. If imports, fail the increased antibiotic tests, AQIS can increase the testing to 100% of all imports for that importer.

Advanced Analytical is fully NATA accredited for and can test for a full range of up to 50 antibiotics in any seafood including but not exclusively 4 Nitrofurans, Chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol, Tylosin, and Erthyromicin, the Penicillins (B Lactams), 4 Tetracyclines, 14 Sulfa compounds, as well as 9 Fluoroquinolones and Malachite green and Crystal violet and their metabolites. Testing to trace levels of 1or 2 ppb is possible for these antibiotics.

For the testing of any antibiotic or related compound please contact us. For the testing of any imported seafood shipments or for export certification for your seafood product please contact Attila Tottszer on 02 98889077 or Andrew Bradbury on 07 38622510 for information and quotations.

 

Advanced Analytical Australia develops and delivers state-of-the-art DNA and immunoassay testing, such as real-time PCR, to meet our clients testing requirements. In particular we focus on viral testing in prawns, identification of allergens in food and detection of genetically modified material in food.