IS IT JUSTIFIABLE TO JUDGE CARCASSES BY T HE NEGATIVE RESULT OF THE GENERAL INHIBITOR TEST IN THE MUSCULATURE

Because there had been doubts about the negative value of the three-pl ate test (DPT) in the musculature 290 samples from slaughter animals w hich had reacted positively in the kidney and negatively in the muscul ature were subjected to further chemical residue tests for sulphonamid es and most of them also for chloramphenicol using TLC and HPLC. In 33 samples (11 %) the same active substances were found as in the kidney s in spite of a negative inhibitor test in the musculature. Only in 4 cases (1.3 %) the DPT was shown to react correctly. The results are di scussed and it is suggested that the DPT should be dispensed with in t he musculature and, where there are inhibitor-positive findings in the kidneys, that the carcase including organs should be declared unfit f or human consumption. Against the financial losses could be set a savi ng for the DPT altogether and an improvement in consumer protection.