Medicines Agency of Moldova clarifies detection of metronidazole at more farms nationwide

The medicine metronidazole is prohibited for use in food-producing animals, as no maximum residue limits have been established for foods of animal origin. The clarification today was made by the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (AMDM), after the substance had been detected in the blood serum of birds from more farms of Moldova.

The institution said that metronidazole was an authorized medicine in Moldova for treating humans and is used only on the recommendation of a doctor.

“Metronidazole has been used for many years in medicine to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections. It is internationally recognized, including by the World Health Organization, and is available in Moldova in more forms (tablets, infusion solutions, suppositories), being included in the National List of Essential Medicines,” AMDM noted.

At the beginning of January, laboratory tests detected the presence of metronidazole in feed samples and in egg samples meant for human consumption, collected from a poultry farm. Subsequently, the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) launched a large-scale investigation into the case, which is still ongoing.

At all inspected units, the movement of birds and the eggs got from them was suspended, and actions were initiated to recall table eggs from the market. The authorities assure that food products currently placed on the market do not contain metronidazole. After the substance was detected, 110,000 birds were culled.

Based on laboratory results and information gathered during official controls, it was concluded that the source of metronidazole residues found in eggs and serum is animal feed in which metronidazole had been added by producers. In this context, ANSA suspended imports of compound feed and requested information and explanations from the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country.

Metronidazole is a chemotherapeutic agent with bacteriostatic and antiparasitic effects, the use of which in food-producing animals has been banned in the European Union since 1997 and in Moldova since 2011, because of significant risks to consumers’ health, as highlighted in international reference documents.

In this context, ANSA urges farm managers to use veterinary medicines strictly on the basis of prescriptions issued by a veterinarian and to ensure that the feed used in their farms does not contain banned substances. They are encouraged to implement internal self-control programmes to guarantee the supply of safe products to consumers.

Veterinarians are also urged to prescribe only veterinary medicinal products authorized for the animal species to be treated and sourced exclusively from veterinary medicine warehouses authorized by the veterinary sanitary authorities, as well as to responsibly complete treatment records for the animals.