The results from the National Residue Plan were released on Sunday and show that of the 19,250 samples tested in 2016, only 40 samples were non-compliant.

This means that 99.8% of samples tested were negative for any residues. According to the Department, samples were taken from across all “eight food producing species as well as milk, eggs and honey”.

Illegal substance

However, the Department did detect a case of clenbuterol last year. This was the first time in five years that the product was detected.

The Department said the sample was detected as result of a “targeted sample taken from a bovine animal on farm which tested positive for the illegal substance”.

The farm was subsequently restricted throughout an investigation and the Department believes that this case was “confined to one holding”.

Clenbuterol, or angel dust, is forbidden from entering the human food chain. The substance is given to cattle to produce leaner meat.

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