[Residue levels and health risks of quinolones and tetracyclines in fresh eggs sold in Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current status of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotic residues in fresh eggs sold in Shanghai and assess the population exposure levels.

METHODS

From 2016 to 2024, a total of 2317 fresh egg samples, including chicken eggs, duck eggs, goose eggs, pigeon eggs, and quail eggs, were collected in Shanghai. The samples were tested by the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) of 2024 Manual China National Food Contamination and Harmful Factors Risk Monitoring. Combined with fresh egg consumption data from adults aged 18 and above in the 2013 and 2023 'Shanghai Diet and Health Survey', the health risks to the population were evaluated using the food safety index(IFS) method.

RESULTS

The detection rate of quinolones in commercially available fresh eggs in Shanghai was 8.07%, with enrofloxacin showing the highest average residue level at 5.58 μg/kg. For tetracyclines, the overall detection rate was 8.55%, and the highest average residue was observed for doxycycline at 4.46 μg/kg. The detection rate of quinolones in pigeon eggs, a type of niche fresh eggs, was as high as 29.89%. The average residual levels of quinolones in pigeon eggs and quail eggs are both relatively high, reaching 25.94 and 30.19 μg/kg respectively. The point assessment indicated that the IFS values for both antibiotic classes in the general population and high-exposure population were both below 1, suggesting an acceptable health risk level. The probability assessment revealed that the P50 exposure levels of enrofloxacin(including ciprofloxacin) in 2013 and 2023 were 0.071 and 0.102 ng/(kg·BW·d), respectively, and the P95 exposure was 0.625 and 0.480 ng/(kg·BW·d), while the P50 exposure of doxycycline was 0.069 and 0.106 ng/(kg·BW·d), and the P95 exposure was 0.240 and 2.010 ng/(kg·BW·d), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The health risks of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics from fresh egg consumption for adult residents remain at a safe level. The antibiotics residues in fresh eggs are mainly contaminated by enrofloxacin and doxycycline. Meanwhile, it is recommended to strengthen the supervision of antibiotics in niche fresh eggs such as quail eggs, pigeon eggs, and goose eggs.