Residual Risk of Avermectins in Food Products of Animal Origin and Their Research Progress on Toxicity and Determination

Avermectins (AVMs) are categorised as highly effective but toxic natural products isolated from Streptomyces avermitilis and are widely applied as antihelminthic and antiparasitic agents in agriculture and aquaculture. AVMs accumulated in the environment through runoff, spray drift, field drainage, or from pharmaceutical drugs used for aquatic farming, which resulted in toxic effects on nontarget aquatic and terrestrial organisms and caused residues in food products of animal origin. There was a lack of comprehensive overview for residual risk of AVMs in food products of animal origin and their research progress on toxicity and determination. This paper introduced the structure and chemical properties of AVMs, then updated and classified residue limits of AVMs in food products of animal origin established by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), European Union (EU), United States, Japan, and China. The toxicity of AVMs and analytical methods of AVMs in food products of animal origin were summarized. Besides, the residues of AVMs in food products of animal origin were analyzed. Further researches for impacts of AVMs on environment and potential toxicological significance of food contamination by AVMs are needed to understand their risk in the environment and food chain.