Contamination of honey by oxytetracycline from pig manure.

• DOI: 10.12834/vetit.1033.5510.4
• Publication Date: 2019-06-30
• Authors: Luciano Ricchiuti; E. Petrollini; Loredana Annunziata; Antonio D’Aloise; Donatella Leonardi; Francesco Pomilio
• Keywords: Beehive; Food contaminant

Although the use of antimicrobial is not allowed in bee industry according to current EU legislation, residues are often detected honey doomed human consumption. This study aims investigate if bees living hives located nearby tanks filled with pig manure containing oxytetracycline, would naturally harvest water from it, thus contaminating their honey. Data this experiment were compared those originating direct contamination oxytetracycline through beehive feeders. Bees did manure, even during warmest days summer. Instead, evidenced and quantified directly contaminated oxytetracycline. Interestingly, also observed untreated suggesting that illegal treatments can cause contamination, albeit at low levels, produced legally-untreated neighboring hives.