Testing milk for antibiotic residues: Guidance

In particular, the requirement that food business operators must initiate procedures to ensure that raw milk is not placed on the market if it contains antibiotic residues in excess of regulated limits. The guidance is for all interested parties along the milk production chain – milk producers, milk purchasers and processors and also for enforcement authorities.

The guidance explains the legislative requirements; what an antibiotic screen test failure means; outlines the options for action and also sets out who should be notified in the event of a test failure.

The guidance will be reviewed if further advice is issued by the European Commission on the implementation of these provisions.