Veterinary antibiotics in dairy products from Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract Consumption of traces of veterinary drug residues through dairy products could have adverse effects on human health. There is, therefore, the need for routine monitoring of drug residues in dairy products on the market. In this study, fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt being sold at different points in the Kumasi metropolis were analyzed for residues of chloramphenicol, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline — four commonly used veterinary drugs in the country. The concentrations found were generally very low and close to the method detection limit of 0.1 μg/kg. Concentration of chloramphenicol in yogurt (0.8 μg/L) was the highest among all the residues studied. However, with the residue levels being hundred folds lower than the maximum residue limit, they are highly unlikely to pose any health risks to the consumers. Therefore, as far as chloramphenicol, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, and oxytetracycline in fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt are concerned, this study did not indicate any risk of consumption.