Evaluation of certain veterinary drug residues in food. Fiftieth report of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.

This report presents the conclusions of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee convened to evaluate the safety of residues of certain veterinary drugs in food and to recommend maximum levels for such residues. The first part of the report considers the neurotoxicity of anthelminthics belonging to the avermectin and milbemycin classes of compounds and the evaluation policy of the Committee in establishing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for veterinary drugs in food. A summary follows of the Committee's evaluations of toxicological and residue data on a variety of veterinary drugs: five anthelminthic agents (eprinomectin, febantel, fenbendazole, oxfendazole and moxidectin), seven antimicrobial agents (gentamicin, procaine benzylpenicillin, sarafloxacin, spectinomycin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline), three antiprotozoal agents (diclazuril, imidocarb and nicarbazin), one glucocorticosteroid (dexamethasone), one production aid (recombinant bovine somatotropins) and one tranquilizing agent (azaperone). Annexed to the report are a summary of the Committee's recommendations on these drugs, including Acceptable Daily Intakes and MRLs, and further toxicological studies and other information required.