National Residue Program Quarterly Report (Apr–Jun 2021) 

National Residue Program 

In FY 2021 Q3, nine analytical methods were used by FSIS to detect approximately 260 different 

veterinary drugs, pesticides, and environmental contaminants. Key observations are below. 

Surveillance Sampling Plan 

Specified slaughter subclasses are sampled at the time of slaughter, after a carcass has passed 

antemortem inspection. Of the 2,047 samples analyzed by FSIS (1,977 from U.S. Federal plants and 70 

from U.S. State inspected plants), five sample contained violative chemical residues. In total, more than 

361,000 chemical residue analyses were conducted on the 2,047 samples collected under the 

surveillance sampling plan. 

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Table 1: Summary of FY 2021 Q3 Surveillance Sampling Results 

Number of Samples Analyzed this Quarter Total Number of 

Samples Planned for FY 

2021 

Number of Non- Total Number of Non- Number of Violative Positives Samples1 Detect Samples Violative Samples Samples 

Animal Animal Class Category 

Bovine 

Beef Cows 800 214 210 3 1 

Bob Veal 400 89 84 5 --

Dairy Cows 800 224 222 1 1 

Formula-Fed Veal 75 14 14 -- --

Heifers 400 113 111 2 --

Non-Formula-Fed Veal 75 10 10 -- --

Steers 400 109 107 1 1 

Feral Swine 75 17 17 -- --

Porcine Market Swine 800 215 215 -- --

Roaster Swine 300 77 77 -- --

Sows 800 191 190 1 --

Young Chickens 400 110 109 1 --

Poultry Whole Chickens 400 97 96 1 --

Young Turkeys 800 215 211 4 --

Goats 300 74 73 1 --

Other 

Species 

Lambs 100 26 26 -- --

Mature Sheep 100 34 34 -- --

Siluriformes (Catfish) 650 170 161 3 6 

Egg Products 400 48 46 2 --

Annual Total 8,075 2,047 2,013 25 9 

1 For raw product, a sample is a representative portion of a meat, poultry, or egg product collected to identify potential microbiological, chemical, or 

pathological hazards. 

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Table 2: FY 2021 Q3 Surveillance Sampling Results by Chemical Method 

Number of Samples Analyzed per Chemical Method 

Animal 

Class Aminoglycosides Antifungal 

Dyes Carbadox Metals MRM Nitrofurans Pesticides PFAS Speciation 

Animal 

Category 

Bovine 

Beef Cows 213 -- -- 34 214 -- 121 -- --

Bob Veal 89 -- -- 33 89 -- 50 -- --

Dairy Cows 223 -- -- 36 224 -- 118 -- --

Formula-Fed Veal 14 -- -- -- 14 -- -- -- --

Heifers 113 -- -- 26 113 -- 73 -- --

Non- Formula Fed Veal 10 -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- --

Steers 109 -- -- 31 109 -- 64 -- --

Feral Swine -- -- -- -- -- -- 17 -- --

Porcine Market Swine 215 -- -- 43 215 -- 110 53 --

Roaster Swine -- -- 77 -- -- -- -- -- --

Sows 191 -- -- 36 191 -- 99 50 --

Young Chickens 110 -- -- 40 110 2 2 -- --

Poultry Whole Chickens 97 -- -- -- 97 97 97 69 --

Young Turkeys 215 -- -- 34 215 120 120 -- --

Other 

Species 

Goats 74 -- -- -- 74 -- 44 -- --

Lambs 26 -- -- -- 26 -- 21 -- --

Mature Sheep 34 -- -- -- 34 -- 26 -- --

Siluriformes (Catfish) -- 64 -- 64 152 88 88 34 82 

Egg Products -- -- -- -- 48 -- 46 -- --

Annual Total 1,733 64 77 377 1,935 307 1,096 206 82 

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Table 3. FY 2021 Q3 Surveillance Sampling Residue Violations 

List of FY 2021 Surveillance Sampling residue violations (specific compound, concentration, tolerance and regulatory citation) by animal class. 

Animal Tolerance Level Tissue Compound Concentration Units Authority (CFR Citation) Class Value 

Muscle Doramectin 52.4 ppb 30 21 CFR 556.222 

Beef Cow 

Liver Doramectin 285 ppb 100 21 CFR 556.222 

Muscle Salbutamol * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Dairy Cow 

Liver Salbutamol * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Atrazine and Metabolites * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle 

Metolachlor * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Atrazine and Metabolites * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle 

Metolachlor * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle Metolachlor * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Siluriformes Muscle Diclofenac * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Steer Liver Ractopamine 0.125 ppm 0.09 21 CFR 556.570 

* Violative residue results were detected but not quantified. 

/1/Not Approved: the residue detected is not approved for the animal class. 

ppb – parts per billion (μg/kg) ppm – parts per million (mg/kg) 

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Inspector-Generated Sampling Plan 

FSIS inspectors conduct inspector-generated sampling when they suspect that animals presented for 

slaughter may have violative levels of chemical residues. If an inspector suspects that there is misuse of 

drugs that cannot be detected by the KISTM test, the samples are sent directly to the laboratory for 

appropriate analysis. These samples are reported under the Inspector-Generated program. If an 

inspector suspects that there is misuse of drugs that cannot be detected by the KISTM test, the samples 

are sent directly to the laboratory for appropriate analysis. These samples are reported under the 

Collector-Generated program. 

In FY 2021 Q3, of the 36,355 Kidney Inhibition Swab (KISTM) tests conducted on animals selected by FSIS 

(Table 4), 429 samples were submitted to FSIS field laboratories for further analysis. In total, 116 

chemical residue violations were reported in 105 samples (Table 5). Due to multiple analyses per 

sample submitted, multiple residue violations may be found in the same sample. The predominant 

violative residues in the inspector-generated samples were ceftiofur (35), penicillin (25), and 

sulfadimethoxine (11), which account for 30%, 22%, and 9% of total violative residues, respectively. 

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Table 4. Summary of FY 2021 Q3 Inspector-Generated Sampling (KISTM) Test and Confirmatory Tests 

FY 2021 Q3 summary of in-plant screening tests performed using the KISTM test, number of in-plant screens with negative results, number of 

carcasses sent to FSIS laboratory for confirmation, and the number of carcasses with violations for each animal class. 

Animal Category Animal Class 

KIS TM Test 

Total Number of 

In-plant 

Number of In-plant 

Negative 

Number of Samples 

Analyzed in FSIS 

Number of Samples 

with Confirmed Lab 

Carcasses Carcasses Labs Violations 

Bovine 

Beef Cows 3,132 3,080 51 9 

Bison 1 1 -- --

Bob Veal 4,552 4,531 18 8 

Bulls 420 407 13 3 

Dairy Cows 20,569 20,275 289 77 

Formula-fed Veal 39 39 -- --

Heavy Calves 81 81 -- --

Heifers 1,029 1006 18 3 

Non-Formula-fed Veal 22 22 -- --

Steers 2,055 2,024 28 2 

Boar/Stag Swine 16 16 -- --

Feral Swine 2 2 -- --

Porcine Market Swine 2,662 2,648 9 2 

Roaster Swine 311 311 -- --

Sows 970 966 3 1 

Deer/Reindeer 1 1 -- --

Other Species Goats 150 150 -- --

Mature Sheep 250 249 -- --

Lambs 93 86 -- --

Annual Total 36,355 35,895 429 105 

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Table 5. FY 2021 Q3 Inspector-Generated Sampling Residue Violation Results by Chemical Residue and Animal Class 

FY 2021 Q3 summary of chemical residue violations reported within the inspector-generated sampling. 

Animal Class 

Chemical Residue 

Beef Cow Bob Veal Bulls Dairy Cow Market Swine Heifer Sow Steer Annual Total 

Ampicillin -- -- -- 4 -- -- -- -- 4 

Ciprofloxacin -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 1 

Desfuroylceftiofur 1 1 -- 31 -- 2 -- -- 35 

Dihydrostreptomycin -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 

Flunixin 2 -- -- 5 -- -- -- -- 7 

Gentamycin Sulfate 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 

Ketoprofen -- -- 1 3 1 -- -- -- 5 

Lincomycin -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 

Meloxicam -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- 1 7 

Neomycin 1 5 -- 2 -- -- -- -- 8 

Oxytetracycline -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 

Penicillin 3 -- 2 17 1 1 1 -- 25 

Sulfadimethoxine -- -- -- 9 -- 1 -- 1 11 

Sulfadoxine -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 

Sulfamethazine 1 -- -- 2 -- -- -- 1 4 

Sulfathiazole -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- 1 

Tilmicosin 1 -- -- 2 -- -- -- -- 3 

Annual Total 10 8 4 83 3 4 1 3 116 

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Table 6. Summary of FY 2021 Q3 Collected-Generated Sampling 

FY 2021 Q3 summary of suspect animal samples sent directly to FSIS laboratory (collected-generated sampling) for appropriate analysis. 

Number of Non- Number of Non-Detect Number of Violative Animal Category Animal Class Violative Positives Total Samples Samples Samples Samples 

Bovine 

Beef Cow 3 -- -- 3 

Bob Veal 1 1 -- 2 

Dairy Cow 6 1 2 9 

Heavy Calves 2 -- -- 2 

Heifer 1 -- -- 1 

Steer 3 -- -- 3 

Porcine Market Swine 8 -- -- 8 

Sow 3 -- -- 3 

Other Species Goat 1 -- 1 2 

Lamb 1 -- -- 1 

Annual Total 29 2 3 34 

In addition to the publication of the FY 2021 Sampling Summary NRP results, FSIS posts the details of each positive non-violative, and positive 

violative residue result associated with the NRP sampling program in a spreadsheet format on the FSIS website at: 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/data-collection-and-reports/chemistry/red-books/redbook 

This spreadsheet includes detailed information regarding samples collected and analyzed by FSIS under both the “scheduled” sampling and the 

“inspector-generated” sampling programs. Overall, these data indicate levels of metals in FSIS-regulated product, on average, are relatively low 

and are not likely to cause a human health concern. FSIS plans to update this spreadsheet on an ongoing basis so as to increase program 

transparency for all stakeholders. The spreadsheet includes the following data fields: sample collection and reviewed date, the project code, the 

animal class, tissue type, chemical residue name, concentration values, sample results (whether positive non-violative or positive violative), 

chemical concentration values (if any) and the CFR reference for each chemical listed. 

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Import Residue Sampling 

Imported meat, poultry, and egg products are sampled through the point-of-entry Import Reinspection Sampling Plan. This verifies that foreign 

inspection systems in exporting countries are equivalent to U.S. standards. A total of 916 samples were analyzed under this program in FY 2021 

Q3, of which 11 samples were violative. Those violative samples originated from the following countries: Canada, The People's Republic of China, 

and Vietnam. The results are summarized in Table 7. 

Table 7. Summary of FY 2021 Q3 Residue Sampling of Imported Products 

FY 2021 Q3 import residue samples by inspection level and production type. 

Normal 

Product Name and Analytical 

Project Code Method 

Increased/1/ Intensified/2/ 

Number of Non-Violative Number of Non-Violative 

Samples 

Analyzed 

Positives 

Number of Non-Violative Violative Violative Annual Samples Positives Samples Positives Samples Samples Total Analyzed Samples Samples Analyzed Samples 

Imported Fish Products- Antifungal Dyes, Eastern Laboratory 205 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 205 Metals, MRM IMPFISH_CH_E 

Imported Fish ProductsWestern Laboratory 

IMPFISH_CH_W 

Nitrofurans, 

Pesticides 200 1 1 -- -- 30 -- 7 230 

Imported - Metals 

IMPMETALS Metals 86 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 86 

Imported - Pesticide 

IMPPESTICIDE Pesticides 122 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 122 

Imported Egg Products -

Chemistry 

IMPRESEGG 

Pesticides 11 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 11 

Imported Fresh Products 

- Residue Eastern Lab 

IMPRESFR_EL 

Aminoglycosides, 

MRM 90 -- 1 -- -- 36 1 -- 126 

Imported Fresh Products 

- Residue Western Lab 

IMPRESFR_WL 

Aminoglycosides, 

MRM, 

Nitrofurans 

80 -- 1 -- -- 36 -- -- 116 

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Product Name and Analytical 

Project Code Method 

Normal Increased/1/ Intensified/2/ 

Number of Non-Violative Violative Samples Positives Samples Analyzed Samples Number of 

Samples 

Analyzed 

Non-Violative Number of Non-Violative Violative Annual Positives Samples Positives Samples Total Samples Analyzed Samples 

Imported Processed 

Products - Residue 

Eastern Lab Avermectins 14 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 14 

IMPRESPR_EL 

Imported Processed 

Products - Residue 

Midwestern Lab Sulfonamides 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 6 

IMPRESPR_MWL 

Annual Total 814 1 3 0 0 102 1 7 916 

/1/Increased is a level of reinspection above the normal level that is directed by a FSIS management decision. Under increased reinspection, FSIS may hold, on a case-by-case 

basis, lots of imported meat, poultry, or egg products pending receipt of a laboratory analysis. If FSIS does not place the product on hold, the importer of record is still required 

to hold product tested for adulterants by FSIS and is not to allow such product to enter commerce unless and until negative results are received. During FY 2021 Q3, there were 

no samples analyzed under the increased level of inspection. 

/2/Intensified is a level of reinspection that is implemented automatically by the Public Health Information System (PHIS) when a Type of Inspection PHIS task is reported as 

“Fail.” Under intensified reinspection, FSIS holds the sampled lot at the official import inspection establishment pending receipt of laboratory analysis. The sampled lot is not 

allowed to move off-site to be held. 

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Table 8. FY 2021 Q3 Import Residue Sampling Violations by Foreign Country/Animal Class 

List of FY 2021 Q3 import residue sampling violations (foreign country, specific compound, concentration, tolerance, and regulatory citation) by 

animal class. 

Foreign Country Animal Class Compound Concentrations Units Tolerance Level 

Value 

Authority (CFR 

Citations) 

Canada Beef Meloxicam * * * Not Approved/1/ 

Canada Beef Meloxicam * * * Not Approved/1/ 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

The People's 

Republic of China 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Siluriformes 

Atrazine and 

Metabolites 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

Nitrofurazone 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Not Approved/1/ 

Vietnam Siluriformes Ivermectin 73.8 ppb 0 Not Approved/1/ 

* Violative residue results were detected but not quantified. 

/1/Not Approved: the residue detected is not approved for the animal class. 

ppb – parts per billion (μg/kg) 

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