Indiana Kitchen: Fresh Pork Products » Our Family of Pork Producers » Food Safety Initiative » Maximum Residue Limits
Maximum Residue Limits
The Japanese Ministry of Health established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary drugs in food including pork and pork products. These standards are of particular importance to Indiana Packers Corporation because Japan is an important trade market for our pork products. Our producers should assume that resulting product from hogs marketed to Indiana Packers will be exported to Japan.
As partners in the pork production industry, Japan is a valuable export market representing 45% of all US pork exports with a value of $1.070 billion. Phil Seng, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Meat Export Federation cautioned "The United States can’t afford to lose this essential market, and unfortunately, just one out-of-compliance animal could put this strategic market at risk."
The following are some facts concerning this regulation:
- The new food safety standards will apply to all food products including pork, fresh and frozen, offal and processed meats.
- The new Japanese standards are based on Codex Alimentarius, a series of international standards established by the Food and Agricultures Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to ensure food safety.
- U.S. standards were developed by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure food safety.
- Codex and U.S. residue standards may differ for certain products and residue testing protocols.
- Compliance with U.S. product withdrawals will satisfy most, but not all, of the new MRLs set by Japan.
We strongly urge you visit the Pork Checkoff’s website to determine if medications being used in your production operation have withdrawal periods that are impacted by the new standards. This information can be found at:
http://www.pork.org/producers/JapanMRL.aspx. This web page will be updated as information from animal health companies is received.
Additionally, contact your herd veterinarian if you have questions about whether the animal health products used in your operation are affected and require a change in usage. With the help your herd veterinarian, develop protocols for the use of animal health products.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Indiana Packers Corporation directly.
Please help protect this important market for all of us!