How does the Veterinary Drugs Directorate ensure that food products do not contain harmful levels of drug residue?
The VDD establishes a specific withdrawal period for each new drug it approves. The withdrawal is treatment-free period before an animal, or food products taken from the animal, can be used for human consumption. This time allows the drug and its residues to decrease to levels that do not pose any demonstrable health risk to humans eating the food. The withdrawal period is stated on the drug label along with other instructions for proper use of the drug. In addition, federal and provincial food inspection systems monitor food regularly for drug residue violations.
