Neogen launches ractopamine test

Neogen launches rapid tests for ractopamine

Neogen Europe has launched a test to detect ractopamine on the back of worldwide debate about the substance’s use.

The test can detect ractopamine in animal and animal feed samples in 10 minutes, claims Neogen.

Neogen’s Ractopamine Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are intended to screen cattle and swine samples and swine and turkey feed samples.

The ractopamine screening test for swine screens at 2.5 parts per billion (ppb); the test for cattle screens at 1ppb; and the test for swine and turkey feed screens at 0.5 or 4 parts per million.

Ed Bradley, Neogen’s vice president of Food Safety, said: “While top trade officials in the US view the new restrictions as unnecessary trade barriers, markets in which ractopamine residues are banned are worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually to US meat producers.

“Until these trade issues can be resolved, companies seeking access to these markets may have no choice but to comply with the new regulations.”

Ractopamine is a beta-agonist drug added to feed to promote lean muscle in animals raised for meat.