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RIDASCREEN® NITROFURAN (AOZ) and NITROFURAN (AMOZ) (ELISA Tests)


Nitrofurans are synthetic broad spectrum antibiotics that have been used as growth promotants in the pork, poultry and fish production sectors. In long term studies with experimental animals the parent drugs and their metabolites showed carcinogenic and mutagenic characteristics. As a result the nitrofuran family of drugs is prohibited for use as treatment for animals for food production.

In the past nitrofuran residues were determined only by LC-UV, LC-MS or LC-MS/MS techniques. R-BIOPHARM, however has developed a method for Nitrofuran analysis using the ELISA technique. Enzyme immunoassays, compared with chromatographic methods, show considerable advantages such as lower costs, limited technical equipment and less time requirement.

Recently nitrofurans were discovered in the Canadian food supply (see the following news item) so they are a risk to our health and well-being. Using the RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AOZ) and RIDASCREEN® Nitrofuran (AMOZ) tests it is possible to detect AOZ and AMOZ in shrimp, meat (chicken, pork, beef) and milk with little preparation of the sample.

Seafood May Contain Banned Chemicals: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
OTTAWA, June 12, 2003 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume I.Q.F. Raw Shell-On Jumbo Freshwater Prawn - 16/20 ct. because this product may contain Nitrofurans.

The affected product, I.Q.F. Raw Shell-On Jumbo Freshwater Prawn - 16/20 ct., a product of Thailand, is packed for Aqua Star, Woodbridge, Ont. It is sold in a 1 lb. (454g) bag bearing the UPC 7 31149 58404 4 and the code 03020.

The importer, Aqua Star, located in Woodbridge, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. This product has been distributed in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is also warning the public not to consume Fresh Water Catfish Fillets because this product may contain Nitrofurans.

The affected product was sold as fresh fillets through various Sobey’s, Super Store, and Super Value stores in the Maritime Provinces. The fillets were sold as Regular, Cajun, and Lemon Pepper flavours. Only product sold between March 18, 2003 to March 31, 2003 are affected by this alert.

The importer, A.C. Covert Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. This product has been distributed in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Nitrofurans are a group of chemicals which are banned for use in Canada in food producing animals. Consumption of foods contaminated with Nitrofurans may pose a human health risk related to the inherent toxicity of the drug and the potential to cause allergies. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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