FDA Survey Finds Sulfa Drugs in Milk
A Food and Drug Administration milk survey found traces of sulfa drugs in most of the samples tested, but all were far below levels that would threaten public health, the agency said Friday.
Also, of the 70 samples tested, three were found to contain traces of sulfamethazine, which is not approved for use in lactating cows because it may cause cancer at some levels, the FDA said.
“The traces, while not of safety concern, nevertheless show that a few dairy farmers or veterinarians have improperly used the drug,” the agency said.
The study suggested milk from “only a few animals” that are being treated improperly is reaching the market.
Fifty-eight of the 70 samples contained some traces of the sulfa drugs but at levels of only 1 part per billion to 3 parts per billion.
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