DDG survey on antibiotic residue not finished

Ethanol Producer
June 3, 2010
By Luke Geiver

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2010 Nationwide Survey of Distillers Grains for Antibiotics Residues is roughly half way finished. In the fall of 2009 the FDA began the survey to track and test the residues of antibiotics such as virginiamcyin, penicillin and erythromycin, all used to control bacteria growth in fermentation tanks. The survey stated an objective: “To determine the extent and level of antibiotic residues in a limited number of domestic and import samples of distillers grains. Since this assignment is primarily intended to generate data for policy development, it is not expected to result in regulatory action.”

The FDA said that 98 percent of all DDGs are generated at fuel ethanol plants, with the other two percent coming from ethanol beverage facilities. “Currently, we have limited data on the extent and levels of antibiotics in distillers grains that are produced by either domestic or foreign ethanol facilities and marketed as animal feed ingredients in the U.S.,” the FDA said. The survey is using 60 DDG samples, 40 coming domestically and 20 via import. The samples were then divided up between 13 FDA district offices and then sent to the six other labs. The samples were collected at ethanol facilities or where ever they were offered for sale.

In 2009, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy completed a report that indicated that almost 45 percent of U.S. ethanol production facilities are not using antibiotics to control bacteria in fermentation tanks. Some plants use ingredients made from brewing hops and many others use a product like DuPont’s FermaSure. The DuPont product uses chlorine dioxide to control the bacteria.

“Our 2010 sampling assignment continues and is likely not to be completed until the end of 2010/early 2011,” said Laura Alvey, communications director for the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Alvey also said CVM would wait to comment on the survey until “we have had time to thoroughly review any/all results.”

NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for research and educational purposes.

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