Screening of Imported Tilapia Fillets for Heavy Metals and Veterinary Drug Residues in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA

The objective of this study was to identify the presence of harmful drug residues (Chloramphenicol and malachite green/gentian violet) and toxic heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) in imported tilapia fillets. A total of 36 tilapia fillets were analyzed for these harmful chemical contaminants. The presence of veterinary drug residues were identified using competitive ELISA screening and the concentration of heavy metals were determined using a Perkin Elmer Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and Flow Injection Mercury System. Out of the 36 samples tested, none tested positive for chloramphenicol and malachite green / gentian violet. The fish samples, on average were found to have safe levels of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead in them, as set forth by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Screening of Imported Tilapia Fillets for Heavy Metals and Veterinary Drug Residues in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA