Toxic Residues

 

It is the summation of compounds present in any edible portion of animal products, whose origin is due to medications or environmental contamination, and which, in accordance to previous studies, it has been determined it can pose a risk to public health if consumed over the maximum residue level.

 

In accordance to the Federal Animal Health Act and the National Program for Control and Monitoring of Toxic Residues, in goods of animal origin, aquaculture and fishery resources, when detected in goods posing risks for human health; or those of Mexican origin returned due to rejection from another country due to evidence of physical, chemical or microbiological contaminants; or due to alerts by countries or international organizations; or pests that may affect human health; necessary quarantine measures  shall be taken in accordance to the applicable regulations.

 

All loads may be tested for the toxic residues analysis at the point of entry, or at the TIF establishment. This toxicological test is randomly through VUCEM at the point of entry, and according to the type of goods. Mexico has different tolerance with maximum residue limits, it is important to review the tolerance which in some cases is ZERO.

 

The table of Maximum Residue Limits is published by SENASICA web at the following link:

 

https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/limites-maximos-de-residuos-toxicos-y-contaminantes

 

 

If the load was tested and the result is positive, the load may not be released until the assessment by the COFEPRIS’ local personnel, and the issuance of the corresponding opinions.
 

In practice at the time of customs clearance, only SENASICA personnel intervene and no evaluation is carried out by COFEPRIS, if the load is already at the TIF plant, the official veterinarian will issue the corresponding opinion.

 

• The official veterinarian will notify SENASICA central offices.

• SENASICA will inform that the maximum residue has been surpassed in the load, which means that the plant, cold storage or exporters will have a rejection. It’s important to mention that 2 strikes mean that the plant will be removed from the SENASICA and FSIS plants list.

• SENASICA will notify USDA.

• USDA will notify the establishment.

 

Once the exporter has been notified, he must send a letter with what authority request, such as:

 

- Must respond during the period that SENASICA establishes.

- Must indicate the origin problem.

- Must send an analysis for corrections and prevention measures. 

- Must send how it will guarantee that this will not happen again and that the product is free of antibiotics.

​- Must be sent in Spanish.

 

Once SENASICA has notify, all shipments of the same product and plant will be subject to the same toxic analysis and will be detained at the point of entry according to the NOM-030-ZOO-1995, Specifications and procedures for the verification of imported meat, dressed carcasses, viscera, and wastes in Animal Health Verification Points. 
 

In the event that the product of a specific plant results with levels of toxic wastes above the limits established in NOM- 004-ZOO-1994, the Secretary of Health will be notified so that it proceeds according to its responsibilities; in the following shipment coming from the same plant, the product will be retained up to a maximum of 30 calendar days in the point of entry to the country, until results are obtained from the testing laboratory related to the same waste and the report being satisfactory, when applicable, will proceed with its release; when not satisfactory, the product will be rejected and the approval of the plant of origin will be cancelled.

 

If you wish to know more about the National Program for Control and Monitoring of Toxic Residues, in goods of animal origin, aquaculture and fishery resources you may click on the following link:

 

https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/programas-nacionales-de- control-y-monitoreo-de-residuos-toxicos-120914

 

 

If you want to know the list of compounds subject to monitoring / sampling by the health authority, you can click on the following link:

 

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/510702/Lista_de_compuestos_sujetos_a_monitoreo.pdf

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