Codex Committee Advances Work on Standards for Veterinary Drug Residues in Food
JECFA has also issued a related call for data to support future CCRVDF work and Codex standards development.
On March 31, the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) concluded its 28th session in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The session made advances related to maximum residue limits (MRLs), extrapolation approaches, and risk management guidance, reflecting continued efforts to strengthen international standards for veterinary drug residues in food. Several measures were forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for adoption. Work to address emerging cross-sector food safety issues was also advanced.
Progress on MRLs and Extrapolation Approaches
Among the key outcomes, CCRVDF agreed to forward MRLs for veterinary drugs in camelid tissues, representing the first time Codex has established such limits for this species category. Specifically, the committee advanced MRLs for tetracyclines in camelid kidney, liver, milk, and muscle, as well as ivermectin in camelid milk.
At the same time, CCRVDF determined that certain compounds, including albendazole and ivermectin in most camelid tissues, did not meet the established criteria for extrapolation.
The committee also progressed work on extrapolating MRLs to edible offal tissues beyond liver and kidney, agreeing to pilot an approach using selected compounds to evaluate both extrapolation criteria and exposure assessment methods.
Action Levels and Risk-Based Guidance
CCRVDF finalized action levels for lasalocid and nicarbazin in chicken eggs and agreed to forward them to CAC, alongside new guidance for competent authorities on managing residues resulting from unavoidable and unintentional carryover in animal feed.
The guidance was intended to support a risk-based approach to enforcement in cases where no Codex MRL exists or where established action levels are exceeded, providing additional clarity for regulators managing residues in foods of animal origin.
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The committee also agreed on a priority list of compounds for evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and for consideration for extrapolation to additional species for approval as new work.
Collaborative Work Related to Veterinary Drugs Also Used as Pesticides
CCRVDF also continued collaboration with the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues on harmonized MRLs for compounds with both veterinary drug and pesticide uses.
Specific MRLs under consideration included those for fumagillin dicyclohexylamine (DCH) in fish fillets and honey. CCRVDF agreed to retain the MRLs pending the outcomes of the JECFA re-evaluation due to safety concerns raised by members.
A stepwise process has been established to support this effort, including a planned virtual working group meeting in April 2026 and a joint session of the two committees anticipated in 2027.
JECFA Calls for Data to Support Veterinary Drug Residue Evaluations
In related work, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a call for data to support the 103rd meeting of JECFA, scheduled for January 2027.
The data call seeks scientific information on veterinary drug residues to inform toxicological and residue evaluations, which underpin Codex MRLs and related standards.
The list of substances for evaluation was based on CCRVDF recommendations and prior JECFA decisions.
Data submissions from regulatory bodies, industry, and researchers are due by July 31, 2026, and will support future risk assessments and standard-setting activities within the Codex framework.
