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Antibiotic residues, including Quinolones, Thiamphenicol, and Spectinomycin, have been detected in commercial honey, potentially stemming from sources such as direct beekeeping practices for disease treatment or environmental contamination. This raises concerns about potential health risks to consumers, including allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, as well as the continued impact on antibiotic resistance.

Quinolones, known for the broad-spectrum effectiveness against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, are occasionally employed to prevent and treat honeybee diseases such as piroplasmosis. Thiamphenicol, an antibiotic comparable in activity spectrum to chloramphenicol (CAP), but approximately 2.5 to 5 times more potent, frequently acts as a substitute antibiotic for CAP in various countries for the treatment of bacterial infections in livestock. Spectinomycin, predominantly employed in veterinary medicine, may be detected in honey due to its use in orchards as a pesticide to combat fire blight, a bacterial disease that affects apple, pear, and quince trees during fruit production. Consequently, bees gathering nectar can inadvertently transfer the antibiotic from the blooms to the hive.

Due to the potential risk to human health, antibiotic use in beekeeping practices is banned in many countries, with strict zero-tolerance policies. Despite this, antibiotic residues are continually being detected in honey samples, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring.