Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) in relation to the risk of the presence of sulphonamide residues in eggs resulting from cross-contamination in feed production

Sulphonamides can be administered by adding them to feed within the framework of legal use to treat diseases in animals intended for use in the production of foods, except laying hens. Furthermore, in feed production, cross-contaminations can occur from medicated feed that lead to the appearance of residues of these medicines in animal by-products. In particular, on some occasions, sulphonamide residues have been detected in eggs resulting from cross-contamination in feed production. The Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) has assessed the risk to consumer health of the presence of sulphonamide residues in eggs resulting from cross-contamination in feed production. Cases where there was up to 3 % cross-contamination were considered and it was determined that, in this case and based on the disposal model of a residue depletion study in laying hens published in 2015, the estimated daily intake of sulphonamide residues for all foods in the shopping basket including eggs is far lower than the acceptable daily intake established. Therefore, it would not pose a risk to the consumer. The Scientific Committee holds the opinion that, in any event, good feed manufacturing practice measures must be applied to minimize cross-contamination and the use of antimicrobial medicinal products must be in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice, reducing the risk of appearance of residues as well as antibacterial resistance.