EU maximum levels for cross-contamination of antibiotics in animal feed

Analysis of antimicrobial substances to contribute to feed safety

Oct 2025. Through Regulation (EU) 2024/1229 the EU has already established specific maximum levels for cross-contamination with antimicrobial agents in feed intended for non-target animals. These maximum levels have been in force since 20 May 2025 for 24 antibiotics from 12 substance classes.

The Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany already cover the analysis of most of the listed antibiotics in animal feed. In addition to the regulated antibiotics, a comprehensive range of other relevant active substances from the same substance classes are also part of the analytical portfolio. The establishment of an official method by the EU Joint Research Center (JRC) for the antibiotics covered by the regulation, with the exception of aminoglycosides and polypeptide antibiotics, is currently in progress.

Veterinary drugs in animal feed and potential cross-contamination

Veterinary drugs are used to cure and prevent diseases, and in certain cases also used as growth promoters or sedatives during transport. Antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs are among the most commonly used veterinary drugs. These are often administered orally via medicated feed. During the production of medicated feed, traces of active ingredients may remain in the production line and be transferred to other feeds, a process known as cross-contamination. Cross-contamination can also occur during the storage and transport of feed.

Health effects of cross-contamination

Cross-contamination should be kept as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) in order to protect humans, animals, and the environment, and to prevent antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance poses a serious hazard to public health because it puts the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-growing number of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, and fungi at risk.

In accordance with the "One Health"-concept of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), antimicrobial substances should be used carefully in animals that are used for food production.

Analysis of veterinary drugs

The experts from the Competence Center for Veterinary Drug Residues at the Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratory network in Germany have many years of experience in the analysis of veterinary drug residues and content analyses.

Our portfolio includes the analysis of over 270 veterinary drugs, including antibiotics, antiparasitics, hormones, beta-agonists, endocrine disruptors, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and sedatives.

Table 1 provides an overview of the antibiotics listed in Regulation (EU) 2024/1229, along with the maximum levels for cross-contamination, and the current implementation status at the Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany.

Table 1: Overview of veterinary drug residues with maximum levels according to Regulation (EU) 2024/1229

* LOD = Limit of Detection

Do you have any questions about the analysis of veterinary drugs?

Our portfolio, ranging from single substance to multi-group analyses (up to 100 substances in one test method), can be applied to almost all food and feed matrices. Our experts will be happy to advise you on determining a risk-based testing programme depending on the food or feed matrix and the country of origin or destination.

Do you have any questions about the analysis of veterinary drugs or would you like to take advantage of our analytical services? Please contact your personal account manager or our expert Roma Nemitz-Sturm.