Legitimate uses of nitrofurans in food

Friday 16 May 2003

This information paper is in response to the discussions at the March 2003 Board Meeting concerning the detection of nitrofurans in animal produce from third countries including Thailand and Brazil and most recently in poultry meat from Portugal.

The Board requested an update on other legitimate uses of nitrofurans and whether these could be jeopardizing efforts being made by the European Community to resolve the problem both within the EU and the third countries concerned.

The Board is invited to note that:

• All nitrofurans are currently banned for use, in the EU and most third countries, in food production animals. Some uses continue to be allowed in non-food production (pet) animals.
• Legitimate use of nitrofurans should not therefore lead to residues in EU produced and third country imported food.