Bute Horsemeat Scare in France Highlights Need For Food Diagnostics

Feb. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Drug residue in animals, even those only rarely used for human consumption, is a concern of public health authorities and food companies, and diagnostic test makers can help.  Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) said six horses slaughtered in the UK that tested positive for the drug phenylbutazone were exported to France and may have entered the human food chain.  Phenylbutazone, commonly known as bute, is potentially harmful to humans.  It is an anti-inflammatory painkiller for racing or riding horses but is not allowed for animals intended for eventual human consumption.  The FSA, Britian’s food regulator said that it tested 206 horse carcasses between January 30 and February 7. Of these, eight tested positive for the drug.      

“Vet drug residue threats, like the incident in France, is one of the threats to the food safety supply that is driving the market for better diagnostic products,” said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information.  “We see more IVD companies getting into this market as they look for new outlets for their expertise.”

Kalorama Information’s Food Safety Diagnostics, The World Market covers the market for IVD test products used for food testing purposes.  The report details the market by threat, including Pathogens, Toxins, Agricultural Chemical/Veterinary Drug Residues, Allergens, and GMO/Authenticity.    The report can be found at http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Food-Safety-Diagnostics-7326556/