Occurrence of chloramphenicol, streptomycin and tetracycline residues in ultra-heat-treatment milk marketed in Turkey

Dairy cattle that have been treated with antibiotics produce milk containing antibiotic residues, which may lead to severe allergic reactions in sensitive consumers, culture failure and subsequent loss of product. The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol in ultra-heat-treatment milk samples by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A total of 60 milk samples were analysed. For streptomycin and tetracycline, the concentrations found were below the maximum residue limits permitted by the European Union. There was a high incidence rate of chloramphenicol and tetracycline, with 28 milk samples (46.8%) and 40 milk samples (66.8%) being contaminated, respectively. Chloramphenicol levels in the samples appear a serious public health problem at the moment.