Characterisation of Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Products from Nigerian Markets and Their Food Safety Implications

This study characterises antibiotic residue contamination in poultry products (meat and eggs) from Nigerian retail markets and assesses the food safety implications for consumers. Antibiotic residues in food of animal origin arise from non-compliance with withdrawal periods and represent a direct food safety risk to consumers while also contributing to antibiotic resistance. With limited enforcement of withdrawal period regulations in Nigerian poultry production, consumer exposure to antibiotic residues may be substantial. This study randomly collects 240 chicken meat samples and 180 egg samples from retail markets in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri. Samples are screened using ELISA for tetracyclines, sulphonamides, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides at two-tier testing: screening above EU MRL thresholds followed by confirmatory liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for positive samples. Consumer risk assessment estimates daily intake relative to acceptable daily intakes for detected residues. Findings reveal detectable antibiotic residues in 44 percent of chicken meat samples and 28 percent of egg samples across the six markets. Oxytetracycline is the most frequently detected compound (31 percent of positive meat samples), followed by sulphamethoxazole and enrofloxacin. Residues above EU MRLs are found in 18 percent of all collected samples. Children consuming typical Nigerian diets show exposure estimates approaching the ADI threshold for oxytetracycline. The study contributes original national-scale antibiotic residue prevalence data and recommends immediate NAFDAC enforcement of withdrawal period compliance and development of a national residue monitoring plan.

Keywords: antibiotic residues, poultry products, food safety, Nigeria, withdrawal period compliance.