Contaminants and Toxins in Foods and Feeds

In the intensive livestock production systems, with decrease in grazing land and intensification of agriculture, the animal feeds are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides, dioxins, radionuclide, heavy metals, bacterial, fungal / mycotoxin contaminants etc., which may , market, it is the need of the hour to produce the livestock products free from contaminants. The feeds and fodders are to be cultivated in lands, which are devoid of heavy metals, radionuclide, industrial wastes, dioxins and other contaminants. The feeds are to be safeguarded from bacterial and fungal contamination from the time of harvest till the animals consume them. The newer feed ingredients are to be used only after they are tested free from anti-nutritional factors or toxins. Organic foods are gaining importance for human avoiding pesticide and drug residues in the livestock products. As the contaminants can enter the food chain at any stage of livestock production system, a collective and concerted effort is required from agriculture, animal husbandry, feed Industry, animal production industry and food industry experts to give quality and safe foods to the consumers.