Sampling and analysis advice for bee farmers
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Under general food law, food business operators (FBOs) have a responsibility to ensure that any food they place on the market is safe and complies with the relevant legislation.
In order to assist bee farmers who opted to use the oxytetracycline (OTC) treatment to combat European Foul Brood (EFB), the Food Standards Agency offers the following advice on the sampling and analysis of honey:
- Honey removed from OTC treated hives should be stored separately from honey from untreated hives and not placed on the market until clear test results are obtained to demonstrate compliance with the relevant legislation.
- Tests should preferably be carried out on bulked honey from the treated hives as this is more representative of the product to be consumed and avoids possible variability in residue distribution within and between hives.
- Honey from OTC treated hives should not be mixed with honey from untreated hives or be diluted in any other way.
- Testing of honey for OTC residues should be carried out by laboratories accredited to ISO17025 and using a method that is validated to EU standards for veterinary medicine residues (that is, to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC) concerning the performance of analytical methods and the interpretation of results.
- Any honey found to be non-compliant must not be placed on the market for human consumption.
The Food Standards Agency welcomes the additional sampling of honey in Scotland under the Veterinary Medicines Directorate National Statutory Scheme, and is liaising with the Scottish Government on this sampling programme to ensure honey from OTC treated hives is targeted. This sampling programme will be coordinated by Scottish Government bee Inspectors.
The Veterinary Residues Committee would welcome copies of test results from FBOs. these should be sent to:
David Webb
VRC Secretariat
Woodham Lane
New Haw
Addlestone
Surrey
KT15 3LS
email: d.webb@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
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