The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued an advisory reminding fish farmers to properly administer the antibiotic florfenicol.
The agency's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has received numerous reports that florfenicol is being administered to fish or used in feed in forms not currently approved by the FDA. This is unlawful and may result in illegal drug residues in fish or ineffectively treat fish diseases, said the FDA.
Florfenicol is approved for use in fish only as a Veterinary Feed Directive drug, which is used in animal feed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. There are two florfenicol products approved by the FDA for use in catfish and salmonid feed: Aquaflor® and Aquaflor®-CA1.
The reports indicate that fish farmers are adding florfenicol to fish feed pellets, which violates the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act.
CVM is reminding veterinarians and fish farmers to always read and carefully follow the directions on the drug label.
July 16, 2009
