Permissible levels of antibiotics in food products in 2025

In today's world, food safety is a key priority for regulators and consumers. Particular attention is paid to monitoring residues of veterinary drugs, particularly antibiotics, in animal products. High standards and strict regulation are designed to protect public health from undesirable consequences, such as the development of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are widely used in livestock farming for treatment, disease prevention, and sometimes growth promotion. However, their improper use or failure to observe the elimination timeframes can lead to the accumulation of residues in meat, milk, eggs, and other products. Ingestion of these residues in human food poses the following risks:

• The development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microorganisms, making treatment of infections in humans less effective.
• Allergic reactions in sensitive people.
• Violation of intestinal microflora.
• Potential toxic effects with long-term consumption of products in excess of the recommended levels.

By 2025, continued strengthening and harmonization of international and national standards for antibiotic residues is expected. Leading international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Codex Alimentarius continue to play a key role in developing recommendations and maximum residue limits (MRLs). These standards are regularly revised based on the latest scientific data on drug toxicity and their impact on resistance development.

• Maximum Residual Levels (MRLs): Established for specific antibiotics in various food products. These levels must be below concentrations that could cause harm to human health.
• Withdrawal periods: The period of time that must elapse between the last administration of a drug to an animal and its slaughter or the use of its products for food.
• Monitoring and control: State veterinary and sanitary control services regularly conduct sampling and laboratory testing of food products for the presence of antibiotic residues.
• Detection methods: In 2025, highly sensitive methods such as liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) will continue to be widely used, providing accurate and rapid detection of a wide range of antibiotics even at very low concentrations.

By 2025, global practice will move toward further reducing antibiotic use in livestock production, especially those critical for human medicine. This will be achieved through improved animal welfare, vaccine development, and the use of alternative prevention and treatment methods. However, challenges remain:

• Harmonization of standards: Differences in MRLs between countries can create barriers to international trade.
• New antibiotics: The emergence of new classes of drugs requires constant updating of the regulatory framework and control methods.
• Economic aspects: Implementing strict regulations can be costly for producers, requiring support and incentives.
• Consumer Awareness: It is important to inform consumers about the measures taken to ensure product safety.

Permissible levels of antibiotics in food products in 2025 will reflect the global community's commitment to maintaining antibiotic efficacy for humans and ensuring high levels of food chain safety. Continuous scientific progress, improved regulatory mechanisms, and increased accountability for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector are key to successfully addressing this global challenge.