Products

Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic composed mainly of tylosin A (around 90%), with smaller amounts of tylosin B, C, and D. Veterinarians widely use it to treat respiratory disease complexes and bacterial infections in farm animals, especially pigs and poultry. It is particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria and certain Mycoplasma species, which makes it a valuable tool in livestock management.

Although regulatory authorities have not approved the powder form for use in companion animals, veterinarians often prescribe it off-label for oral administration. They use it to manage conditions such as colitis in small animals and infections caused by susceptible organisms. In the past, producers also used tylosin as a growth promoter in food-producing animals, particularly in pigs, to improve feed efficiency and weight gain.

Regulators now monitor tylosin use in food-producing animals more closely due to concerns about residues in animal-derived products. Authorities in Europe established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90. These limits include 100 µg/kg in muscle, liver, fat, and kidney, 50 µg/kg in milk, and 200 µg/kg in eggs. These thresholds help control consumer exposure and support food safety standards.

Testing programmes also monitor tylosin in additional matrices such as honey. Community Reference Laboratories recommend that analytical methods detect concentrations as low as 20 µg/kg. This ensures that laboratories can identify even low-level contamination in apiculture, where residues may result from veterinary treatment or environmental exposure.

Effective monitoring and compliance with established residue limits play a critical role in food safety systems. Laboratories rely on sensitive and reliable analytical methods to detect residues and confirm regulatory compliance. These efforts help protect public health, maintain product quality, and support confidence in animal-derived food products.