CFIA aquaculture therapeutant residue monitoring list

This reference list identifies the therapeutants that are currently being monitored in imported and domestically produced aquacultured fish and crustaceans for compliance with Canadian regulatory requirements.

General information on therapeutant use in aquaculture in Canada can be found in Therapeutant use in aquaculture - questions and answers

Monitoring list legend / explanatory notes

Lot acceptance

A lot of fish is considered unacceptable when residues of a substance found in the product exceed the action level specified in this list.
(Note: for Triphenylmethane Dyes - refer to notes ^{d, e, f} and ^g for relevant information).

Monitoring list legend / explanatory notes

Abbreviations / terms

AMRL - Administrative Maximum Residue Limit: The definition for AMRL and MRL are basically the same except AMRL is awaiting completion of the legal process for publishing in Food and Drug Regulations.

DTC - Detected above the reporting limit

EDR - Emergency Drug Release: Program administered by Health Canada - Veterinary Drugs Directorate.

Edible tissue: includes muscle and skin

MRL - Maximum Residue Limit: As stipulated in Food and Drug Regulations, Division 15, Table III. Established value is found in the "Action Level" Column.

Notes:

^a A lot of fish will be considered reject when the sum of florfenicol (parent drug) and florfenicol amine (metabolite) detected in the sample exceeds the florfenicol MRL.

^b As a minimum performance level of the laboratories testing for fluoroquinolones, the laboratory must have a limit of quantification (LOQ) of at least 1.0 ng/g for fluoroquinolones.

^c Interim action level set by Health Canada.

Malachite green and leucomalachite green notes

^d As a minimum performance level of the laboratories testing for Malachite Green (MG) or Leucomalachite Green (LMG), the laboratory must have a limit of quantification (LOQ) of at least 0.5 ng/g for MG or LMG.

^e The "Interim guidelines for the presence of Malachite Green (MG) and Leucomalachite Green (LMG) in aquaculture fish products" established by Health Canada are as follows:

• Malachite green is not permitted in Canada for use during any part of the aquaculture fish production life-cycle.
• The interim guidelines from Health Canada and CFIA's product acceptability criteria applicable to imported and domestic fish products are described below:

Gentian violet and leucogentian violet notes

^f As a minimum performance level of the laboratories testing for Gentian Violet (GV) or Leucogentian Violet (LGV), the laboratory must have a limit of quantification (LOQ) of at least 0.5 ng/g for GV or LGV.

^g Gentian violet is not permitted in Canada for use during any part of the aquaculture fish production life-cycle.
The interim guidelines for the presence of GV and LGV and CFIA's product acceptability criteria applicable to imported and domestic aquacultured fish products have been modified as follows:

Teflubenzuron notes

^h The monitoring of teflubenzuron in aquaculture products is not applicable at this time.