Penicillin Residues in Sows
The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has recently reported a number of penicillin G violative residues in sows presented for processing. This occurrence raises concerns regarding the timing of antimicrobial use in sows intended for processing and the testing methodology currently being used by FSIS.
At this time, AASV, The National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council are working with FSIS to better understand the testing methodology currently in use to determine if extended withdrawal periods will be necessary to ensure compliance with the zero tolerance level applied to penicillin. We have also been in contact with one of the major penicillin manufacturers to inform them of the recent findings and discuss any necessary changes to the withdrawal recommendations.
Reminder:
Follow withdrawal periods on all swine shipped to market including sows and boars
Penicillin G is only approved in swine for the treatment of erysipelas
Labeled dose rate for penicillin G is 1 ml per 100 lbs of body weight
Any use for other indications or at a different dosage rate would be considered extra-label drug use and can only be done at the direction of a veterinarian
Extra-label use requires application of an extended withdrawal period which may be difficult to achieve with cull animals
Long-acting penicillin (penicillin G benzathine) is not approved for swine and, thus, any use is extra-label
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