Description
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of Study There is a worldwide increase in the consumption of poultry products (meat and eggs). The consumption of chicken meat has trippled over the last quarter of a century (Jordan and Partisons, 1996). Poultry products constitute a major source of animal protein in Nigeria and a source of healthy meat worldwide because of its white meat constituent. Poultry production is an important source of livelihood for rural and urban dwellers in Nigeria, as it provides employment and income. It is the most commonly kept livestock accounting for up to 70% of livestock production (Amar-Klemesu and Maxwell, 2000). The FAO report of 1988 as cited by Nwanta et al. (2012) stated that Nigeria recorded the lowest animal protein intake with an average of 6g per head per day and estimated in 2012, that in an average Nigerian meal, animal protein contributes only 3% as against 12% recommended by WHO for healthy living. To meet up with the high animal protein demand, there is wide application of veterinary drugs in commercial poultry designed to increase the production of poultry meat and eggs. Veterinary drugs are used primarily to prevent and control infectious and non-infectious poultry diseases and assist in combating stress occasioned by vaccination, debeaking and other management practices (Dafwang et al., 1987; Kabir et al., 2003). As additives to feed and drinking water, the drugs are used for improved performance in growth especially in poultry broiler production and to promote growth and increase egg production in layer farms (Choi & Ryu, 1997; Furusawa, 1999) etc. The remnants of these drugs may remain in tissues of the animals for some time and are termed residues. The residues of these antimicrobial drugs are excreted in body fluids of food animals and tend to accumulate in tissues/organs and eggs (Droumev, 1983: Geersema et al., 1987). Although the use of these drugs in livestock production benefit producers and consumers alike, their indiscriminate use may result in the presence of residues of these drugs in meat and other animal food products (milk and eggs) at a violative level that may be harmful to man. The presence of drug residues in foods of animal origin is one of the most important issues in food safety because of