Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
infants), as well as the use of sensitive methodology (i.e. intraperitoneal
administration of medicine resulting in direct exposure of the uterus to high
concentrations of chemicals), the EFSA concluded that the issue of
carcinogenicity is not a concern for human health at the concentrations of
SEM encountered in food (European Food Safety Authority, 2005). In
contrast, nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, furaltadone and furazolidone belong to
the State of California Proposition 65 Carcinogens List (US Environmental
Protection Agency, 2008) [15].
In conclusion, it is established that, in experimental conditions (repeated
administration in high doses, over a lifetime), the nitrofurans can induce
tumors in laboratory animal species and should be taken as potentially
carcinogenic to humans. The existing data is insufficient to determine the
actual toxicological significance of metabolites and bound residues of this
group of compounds, assumed as residues in foods of animal origin. Also, in
the light of present knowledge it is impossible to establish levels of safety,
with a reasonable certainty for the human consumption without carcinogenic
risk. Currently, none of conditions [69-70] that led to the ban use of
nitrofurans in animal production have changed. As such, the positions taken by
the authorities, based on insufficient data science and the precautionary
principle, remain in force. It should be recalled, however, that this group of
therapeutic compounds continues to be used in human therapy. This has
motivated the following remark, expressed as: "... the risk of developing
cancer due to exposure to high doses of nitrofurans, used to treat human
infections, was not reduced by the prohibition of the respective use in food-
producing animals. ... ... In any case, human therapy is a source of risk which
should be large compared with that resulting from the use in animals and that
the greatest risk is not affected by elimination of use in animals‖ [12].
7.
S
OURCES OF
C
ONTAMINATION
The 2002-2003 global nitrofuran crisis revealed recurrent findings of
tissue bound residues in poultry and aquaculture products imported to EU
countries from different origins. Moreover, nitrofuran residues were also
found in poultry and pork muscle produced in European countries [71]. Recent
inspection by EU authorities revealed nitrofuran contamination in products
imported from over nine countries, the highest incidences being those of India
(37%), China (37%), Bangladesh (10%) and Thailand (5%) in a variety of
products such as shrimp, honey and canned meat (European Commission,
