Residues of veterinary drugs and heavy metals in bovine meat from Urabá (Antioquia, Colombia), a promising step forward towards international commercialization

Veterinary drugs are used for disease control in bovines Their presence at acceptable levels is a cause of concern for consumers and control agencies, as well as being a limitation for accessing international markets. The objective of this research was to evaluate the presence of residues of veterinary drugs and heavy metals in meat cuts from the Urabá region in Colombia. From a total of 80 samples of meat cuts from the loin and neck, we determined the presence of 29 veterinary drug residues and of cadmium and lead. The drug residues were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Heavy metals were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption. As a result, all evaluated samples complied with Colombian and European regulations for drug residues and heavy metals. These results demonstrate good veterinary practices used for bovines raised in this part of Colombia, and they represent an export opportunity and an opening for new markets that can be enhanced by the implementation of a meat quality seal from this region.