Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) A Maximum Residue Limit is a level of residue that could safely remain in the tissue or food product derived from a food-producing animal that has been treated with a veterinary drug. This residue is considered to pose no adverse health effects if ingested daily by humans over a lifetime. MRLs are established only after Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate has conducted extensive reviews of data submitted by manufacturers and has determined that foods containing these veterinary drug residues up to the established levels are safe for human consumption. MRLs are established by using a scientific, multi-step, health risk assessment process that is internationally recognized. Previously MRLs for Veterinary Drugs were published in Table III, Division 15 of the Food and Drug Regulations. The process whereby MRLs are added or updated to the "List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods" has recently been streamlined. On April 26, 2012, as part of Bill C-38 , the Government of Canada brought forward two targeted changes to the Food and Drugs Act. The new tools, called "Marketing Authorizations " and "Incorporation by Reference ", will reduce delays, cut red tape and make the food regulatory system more efficient and flexible. The amendments received Royal Assent on June 29, 2012, and have since come into force. With the Marketing Authorization for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods , any changes to the List will be made by updating and publishing an amended List on the Health Canada website, as opposed to requiring regulatory promulgations. However, the process or the rigour of the scientific assessment of safety to establish MRLs remains the same, and the stakeholders and the public will still be consulted on the proposed MRLs. This means that while keeping the same rigour of scientific assessments and maintaining the transparency through public consultations, food standards (e.g., MRLs) could be established in a much timelier and more efficient manner. The current version of the MRLs is available on the List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods . Archived Lists Amendments to the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods Upon completion of the scientific assessment of a Veterinary New Drug Submission, or reassessment of a previously approved drug, Health Canada will notify the public of its intent to amend the List via a Proposal to Amend the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods that will be posted on the Health Canada website for public consultation. Interested parties may provide comments on the proposal, and should new scientific or safety evidence be raised, amendments to the proposed values may be considered. After addressing the public comments, a Final Notice to Amend the List of
Transcript
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
A Maximum Residue Limit is a level of residue that could safely remain in the tissue or food product derived from a food-producing animal that has been treated with a veterinary drug. This residue is considered to pose no adverse health effects if ingested daily by humans over a lifetime.
MRLs are established only after Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate has conducted extensive reviews of data submitted by manufacturers and has determined that foods containing these veterinary drug residues up to the established levels are safe for human consumption. MRLs are established by using a scientific, multi-step, health risk assessment process that is internationally recognized.
Previously MRLs for Veterinary Drugs were published in Table III, Division 15 of the Food and Drug Regulations. The process whereby MRLs are added or updated to the "List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods" has recently been streamlined. On April 26, 2012, as part of Bill C-38, the Government of Canada brought forward two targeted changes to the Food and Drugs Act. The new tools, called "Marketing Authorizations" and "Incorporation by Reference", will reduce delays, cut red tape and make the food regulatory system more efficient and flexible. The amendments received Royal Assent on June 29, 2012, and have since come into force.
With the Marketing Authorization for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods, any changes to the List will be made by updating and publishing an amended List on the Health Canada website, as opposed to requiring regulatory promulgations. However, the process or the rigour of the scientific assessment of safety to establish MRLs remains the same, and the stakeholders and the public will still be consulted on the proposed MRLs. This means that while keeping the same rigour of scientific assessments and maintaining the transparency through public consultations, food standards (e.g., MRLs) could be established in a much timelier and more efficient manner.
The current version of the MRLs is available on the List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
Archived Lists
Amendments to the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods
Upon completion of the scientific assessment of a Veterinary New Drug Submission, or reassessment of a previously approved drug, Health Canada will notify the public of its intent to amend the List via a Proposal to Amend the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods that will be posted on the Health Canada website for public consultation. Interested parties may provide comments on the proposal, and should new scientific or safety evidence be raised, amendments to the proposed values may be considered. After addressing the public comments, a Final Notice to Amend the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods will be posted on the Health Canada website and the proposed amendments will be formally incorporated to the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
Additional Information Setting Standards for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) Frequently Asked Questions - Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) Preferred Tissues for Residue Analysis Notice of Intent to Interested Parties - Marketing Authorization for Maximum
List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods
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This List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in Foods sets out the level of residue that could safely remain in the tissue or food product derived from a food-producing animal that has been treated with a veterinary drug. It is incorporated by reference in the Marketing Authorization for Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
Publication date: May 22, 2013
List of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs in FoodsColumn I
Veterinary Drug
Column II
Name of the Substancefor Drug Analysis Purposes
Column III
Foods
Column IV
Maximum Residue Limitsp.p.m.
Albendazole Albendazole-2-aminosulfone
Liver of cattle 0.2
Altrenogest Altrenogest Kidney of swine 0.002Liver of swine 0.001
Ampicillin Ampicillin Fat of cattle 0.01Kidney of cattle 0.01Liver of cattle 0.01Muscle of cattle 0.01Kidney of swine 0.01Liver of swine 0.01Muscle of swine 0.01Skin and fat of swine 0.01Milk of cattle 0.01
Amprolium Amprolium Kidney of chickens 1.0Liver of chickens 1.0Muscle of chickens 0.5Kidney of turkeys 1.0Liver of turkeys 1.0Muscle of turkeys 0.5Eggs 7.0
Apramycin Apramycin Kidney of swine 0.1Arsanilic acid Arsenic Liver of chickens 2.0
Muscle of chickens 0.5Liver of swine 2.0Muscle of swine 0.5Liver of turkeys 2.0
Buquinolate Buquinolate Kidney of chickens 0.4Liver of chickens 0.4Muscle of chickens 0.1Skin and fat of chickens
0.4
Ceftiofur Desfuroyl-ceftiofur Fat of cattle 2.0Kidney of cattle 6.0Liver of cattle 2.0Muscle of cattle 1.0Fat of sheep 2.0Kidney of sheep 6.0Liver of sheep 2.0Muscle of sheep 1.0Kidney of swine 5.0Liver of swine 2.0Muscle of swine 1.0Skin and fat of swine 2.0Milk of cattle 0.1
Cephapirin Cephapirin Fat of cattle 0.1Kidney of cattle 0.1Liver of cattle 0.1Muscle of cattle 0.1Milk of cattle 0.02
Chlortetracycline Chlortetracycline Fat of calves 1.0Kidney of calves 4.0Liver of calves 4.0Muscle of calves 1.0Kidney of cattle 0.1Liver of cattle 0.1Muscle of cattle 0.1Kidney of chickens 4.0Liver of chickens 1.0Muscle of chickens 1.0Skin and fat of chickens
1.0
Kidney of sheep 1.0Liver of sheep 0.5Muscle of sheep 0.1Kidney of swine 4.0Liver of swine 2.0Muscle of swine 1.0Skin and fat of swine 0.2Kidney of turkeys 4.0
Liver of turkeys 1.0Muscle of turkeys 1.0Skin and fat of turkeys
1.0
Clopidol Clopidol Kidney of chickens 15.0Liver of chickens 15.0Muscle of chickens 5.0Kidney of turkeys 15.0Liver of turkeys 15.0Muscle of turkeys 5.0
Danofloxacin Danofloxacin Kidney of cattle 0.4Liver of cattle 0.07Muscle of cattle 0.07
Decoquinate Decoquinate Fat of cattle 2.0Kidney of cattle 2.0Liver of cattle 2.0Muscle of cattle 1.0Kidney of chickens 2.0Liver of chickens 2.0Muscle of chickens 1.0Skin and fat of chickens
2.0
Fat of goats 2.0Kidney of goats 2.0Liver of goats 2.0Muscle of goats 1.0
Diclazuril Diclazuril Liver of chickens 3.0Muscle of chickens 0.5Skin and fat of chickens
1.0
Liver of turkeys 3.0Muscle of turkeys 0.5Skin and fat of turkeys
1.0
Dihydrostreptomycin Dihydrostreptomycin Milk of cattle 0.125Dinitolmide (Zoalene) Dinitolmide, including the
metabolite 3-amino-5-nitro-o-toluamide
Kidney of chickens 6.0Liver of chickens 6.0Muscle of chickens 3.0Skin and fat of chickens
2.0
Liver of turkeys 3.0Muscle of turkeys 3.0Skin and fat of turkeys
3.0
Doramectin Doramectin Liver of cattle 0.07Muscle of cattle 0.03
Liver of swine 0.035Muscle of swine 0.01
Enrofloxacin Desethylene ciprofloxacin Liver of cattle 0.07Muscle of cattle 0.02
Eprinomectin Eprinomectin B1a Liver of cattle 1.0Muscle of cattle 0.1Milk of cattle 0.02
Erythromycin Erythromycin Kidney of chickens 0.125Liver of chickens 0.125Muscle of chickens 0.125Skin and fat of chickens
0.125
Kidney of swine 0.1Liver of swine 0.1Muscle of swine 0.1Skin and fat of swine 0.1Kidney of turkeys 0.125Liver of turkeys 0.125Muscle of turkeys 0.125Skin and fat of turkeys
0.125
Milk of cattle 0.05Fenbendazole Fenbendazole Liver of cattle 0.45
Liver of swine 4.5Florfenicol Florfenicol amine Liver of cattle 2.0
Muscle of cattle 0.2Muscle of salmonids 0.8Liver of swine 1.4Muscle of swine 0.25
Flunixin Flunixin free acid Liver of cattle 0.08Muscle of cattle 0.02
Gentamicin Gentamicin Kidney of swine 0.4Kidney of turkeys 0.1Liver of turkeys 0.1Muscle of turkeys 0.1Skin and fat of turkeys
0.1
Halofuginone Halofuginone Liver of chickens 0.1Hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone Milk of cattle 0.01Ivermectin 22, 23-dihydro-avermectin
B1a
Liver of cattle 0.07Liver of sheep 0.03Liver of swine 0.015
Ketoprofen Ketoprofen Kidney of cattle 0.8Muscle of cattle 0.25Kidney of swine 0.5Muscle of swine 0.1
Milk of cattle 0.05Lasalocid Lasalocid Liver of cattle 0.65
Skin and fat of chickens
0.35
Levamisole hydrochloride
Levamisole Fat of cattle 0.1 - calculated as levamisole hydrochlorideKidney of cattle
Liver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swine
Lincomycin Lincomycin Liver of chickens 0.5Muscle of chickens 0.1Liver of swine 0.5Muscle of swine 0.1
Maduramicin Maduramicin Skin and fat of chickens
0.4
Melengestrol acetate Melengestrol acetate Fat of cattle 0.014Liver of cattle 0.006
Monensin Monensin Fat of cattle 0.05Kidney of cattle 0.05Liver of cattle 0.05Muscle of cattle 0.05Kidney of chickens 0.05Liver of chickens 0.05Muscle of chickens 0.05Skin and fat of chickens
0.05
Kidney of turkeys 0.05Liver of turkeys 0.05Muscle of turkeys 0.05Skin and fat of turkeys
0.05
Milk of cattle 0.01Morantel tartrate N-methyl-1,3-
propanediamineLiver of cattle 0.5Milk of cattle 0.1
Moxidectin Moxidectin Fat of cattle 0.55Narasin Narasin Fat of chickens 0.5
Muscle of chickens 0.05Liver of swine 0.05Muscle of swine 0.05
Neomycin Neomycin Fat of calves 0.25Kidney of calves 0.25Liver of calves 0.25Muscle of calves 0.25
Nicarbazin N,N1-bis(4-nitrophenyl)urea
Kidney of chickens 4.0Liver of chickens 4.0Muscle of chickens 4.0Skin and fat of chickens
4.0
Nitarsone Arsenic Liver of turkeys 2.0Muscle of turkeys 0.5
Novobiocin Novobiocin Fat of cattle 1.0Kidney of cattle 1.0Liver of cattle 1.0Muscle of cattle 1.0Kidney of chickens 1.0Liver of chickens 1.0Muscle of chickens 1.0Skin and fat of chickens
1.0
Kidney of turkeys 1.0Liver of turkeys 1.0Muscle of turkeys 1.0Skin and fat of turkeys
1.0
Oxytetracycline Oxytetracycline Fat of cattle 1.2Kidney of cattle 1.2Liver of cattle 0.6Muscle of cattle 0.2Kidney of chickens 1.2Liver of chickens 0.6Muscle of chickens 0.2Skin and fat of chickens
1.2
Muscle of lobsters 0.2Muscle of salmonids 0.2Fat of sheep 1.2Kidney of sheep 1.2Liver of sheep 0.6Muscle of sheep 0.2Kidney of swine 1.2Liver of swine 0.6Muscle of swine 0.2Skin and fat of swine 1.2Kidney of turkeys 1.2Liver of turkeys 0.6
Muscle of turkeys 0.2Skin and fat of turkeys
1.2
Eggs 0.4Honey 0.3
Penicillin G Penicillin G Fat of cattle 0.05Kidney of cattle 0.05Liver of cattle 0.05Muscle of cattle 0.05Kidney of swine 0.05Liver of swine 0.05Muscle of swine 0.05Skin and fat of swine 0.05Kidney of turkeys 0.01Liver of turkeys 0.01Muscle of turkeys 0.01Skin and fat of turkeys
0.01
Milk of cattle 0.01 I.U./mlPirlimycin Pirlimycin Liver of cattle 0.5
Muscle of cattle 0.3Milk of cattle 0.4
Polymyxin B Polymyxin B Milk of cattle 4.0 u/mlPyrantel tartrate N-methyl-1,3-
propanediamineKidney of swine 10.0 - calculated
as pyrantel tartrateLiver of swine
Muscle of swine 1.0 - calculated as pyrantel tartrate
Robenidine hydrochloride
Robenidine Kidney of chickens 0.1 - calculated as robenidine hydrochlorideLiver of chickens
Muscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickens
0.2 - calculated as robenidine hydrochloride
Roxarsone Arsenic Liver of chickens 2.0Muscle of chickens 0.5Liver of swine 2.0Muscle of swine 0.5Liver of turkeys 2.0Muscle of turkeys 0.5Eggs 0.5
Salinomycin Salinomycin Liver of cattle 0.35Skin and fat of chickens
0.35
Liver of swine 0.35Spectinomycin Spectinomycin Kidney of chickens 0.1
Liver of chickens 0.1Muscle of chickens 0.1Skin and fat of chickens
0.1
Streptomycin Streptomycin Milk of cattle 0.125Sulfabenzamide Sulfabenzamide Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in
combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfacetamide Sulfacetamide Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfachlorpyridazine Sulfachlorpyridazine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swine
Sulfadiazine Sulfadiazine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of horsesKidney of horses
Liver of horsesMuscle of horsesMuscle of salmonidsFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swine
Sulfadimethoxine Sulfadimethoxine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of chickensLiver of chickensMuscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickensFat of horsesKidney of horsesLiver of horsesMuscle of horsesMuscle of salmonidsKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineKidney of turkeysLiver of turkeysMuscle of turkeysSkin and fat of turkeysMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfadoxine Sulfadoxine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of swineLiver of swine
Muscle of swineSkin and fat of swineMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfaethoxypyridazine Sulfaethoxypyridazine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfaguanidine Sulfaguanidine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of horsesKidney of horsesLiver of horsesMuscle of horsesFat of rabbitsKidney of rabbitsLiver of rabbitsMuscle of rabbitsFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfamerazine Sulfamerazine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swine
Sulfamethazine Sulfamethazine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of chickensLiver of chickensMuscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickensKidney of ducksLiver of ducksMuscle of ducksSkin and fat of ducksKidney of geeseLiver of geeseMuscle of geeseSkin and fat of geeseFat of goatsKidney of goatsLiver of goatsMuscle of goatsFat of horsesKidney of horsesLiver of horsesMuscle of horsesFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swine
Kidney of turkeysLiver of turkeysMuscle of turkeysSkin and fat of turkeysMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfanilamide Sulfanilamide Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfanitran Sulfanitran Kidney of chickens 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Liver of chickensMuscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickensKidney of turkeysLiver of turkeysMuscle of turkeysSkin and fat of turkeys
Sulfapyridine Sulfapyridine Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfaquinoxaline Sulfaquinoxaline Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of chickensLiver of chickensMuscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickensFat of rabbitsKidney of rabbitsLiver of rabbitsMuscle of rabbitsFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of turkeysLiver of turkeysMuscle of turkeysSkin and fat of turkeysMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Sulfathiazole Sulfathiazole Fat of cattle 0.1 - singly or in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Kidney of cattleLiver of cattleMuscle of cattleKidney of chickensLiver of chickensMuscle of chickensSkin and fat of chickensKidney of ducksLiver of ducksMuscle of ducksSkin and fat of ducksKidney of geeseLiver of geese
Muscle of geeseSkin and fat of geeseFat of goatsKidney of goatsLiver of goatsMuscle of goatsFat of horsesKidney of horsesLiver of horsesMuscle of horsesFat of sheepKidney of sheepLiver of sheepMuscle of sheepKidney of swineLiver of swineMuscle of swineSkin and fat of swineKidney of turkeysLiver of turkeysMuscle of turkeysSkin and fat of turkeysMilk of cattle 0.01 - singly or
in combination with other sulfonamides listed in this Table
Teflubenzuron Teflubenzuron Muscle of salmonids 0.3Skin of salmonids 3.2
Tetracycline Tetracycline Fat of calves 0.25Kidney of calves 0.25Liver of calves 0.25Muscle of calves 0.25Kidney of chickens 0.25Liver of chickens 0.25Muscle of chickens 0.25Skin and fat of chickens
0.25
Fat of sheep 0.25Kidney of sheep 0.25Liver of sheep 0.25Muscle of sheep 0.25Kidney of swine 0.25Liver of swine 0.25
Muscle of swine 0.25Skin and fat of swine 0.25Kidney of turkeys 0.25Liver of turkeys 0.25Muscle of turkeys 0.25Skin and fat of turkeys
0.25
Thiabendazole Thiabendazole and total 5-hydroxythiabendazole metabolites (free form, glucuronide and sulfate conjugates)
Fat of cattle 0.1Kidney of cattle 0.1Liver of cattle 0.1Muscle of cattle 0.1Fat of goats 0.1Kidney of goats 0.1Liver of goats 0.1Muscle of goats 0.1Fat of sheep 0.1Kidney of sheep 0.1Liver of sheep 0.1Muscle of sheep 0.1Milk of cattle 0.05
Tiamulin 8-alpha-hydroxy-mutilin Liver of swine 0.4Tilmicosin Tilmicosin Liver of cattle 1.6Trenbolone Acetate α-Trenbolone Liver of cattle 0.01
β-Trenbolone Muscle of cattle 0.002Trimethoprim Trimethoprim Muscle of salmonids 0.1Tylosin Tylosin Fat of cattle 0.2
Kidney of cattle 0.2Liver of cattle 0.2Muscle of cattle 0.2Kidney of chickens 0.2Liver of chickens 0.2Muscle of chickens 0.2Skin and fat of chickens
0.2
Kidney of swine 0.2Liver of swine 0.2Muscle of swine 0.2Skin and fat of swine 0.2Kidney of turkeys 0.2Liver of turkeys 0.2Muscle of turkeys 0.2Skin and fat of turkeys
0.2
Zeranol Zeranol Liver of cattle 0.01Muscle of cattle 0.002
