PRINCIPLES OF AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FORTHE DETECTION OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN MILK

According to the knowledge presently available it can be concluded tha t not a single method will be able to detect all antiinfectives on MRL level in milk. To ensure a high technological quality of the milk and its safety for the consumers an integrated system has to be developed , which comprises two different aspects: 1. Application of different m ethods within this system and 2. definition of the shared responsibili ties of the dairy farmer, the processing establisment and the food ins pection. This system has proved its efficiency under German conditions . The number of ''inhibitor-positive'' samples in ex farm milk using m icrobiological detection methods is in general between 1 and 5 per tho usand. However, on tanker level more positives could be identified. Th e dominating compounds have been beta-lactam antibiotics and sulfa dru gs. The integrated system is a ''barrier'' system, which combines diff erent methods and the responsibility of all parties involved. It uses elements of the HACCP concept (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) to minimize risks and to ensure safe products.