Assessment of antibiotic residues in raw cows’ milk produced by small scale dairy farms in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania between October, 2013 and March, 2014 to assess the antibiotic residues in raw cows’ milk produced by small-scale dairy farms. One hundred and ten small-scale dairy farmers were interviewed at household level on the handling and use of veterinary drugs, access to and availability of veterinary services, livestock diseases frequency and means of treatment, most commonly used antibiotic, awareness of drug residues in raw milk and health risks associated with consumption of raw milk containing antibiotic residues. In addition 110raw milk samples were collected from three available milk collection centers for laboratory analysis of antibiotic residues. Laboratory assessment included, screening qualitative test using microbial inhibition test, followed by quantification of oxytetracycline (OTC) residues levels for positively detected samples by using HPLC Technique. Prevalence of OTC residues was 10% and all positive detected samples had OTC residues above MRL levels by FAO/WHO-CAC 2-2012. The mean value levelof OTC was766.3± μg/l. About 83.6% of respondents call livestock officers in the event of a sick cow and 56.4% of cases OTC were prescribed.On health risks associated with consumption of raw milk with antibiotics, 91.8% of respondents were aware. Screening for residues at the milk collection centers is recommended and further investigation of the milk production practices among small-scale dairy farmers is required. This will provide a basisfor designing appropriate and effective small scale milk production practices which will reduce milk contamination and help to protect the health of consumers in Tanzania.

Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)