Neogen Corp., Lansing, Mich., received performance tested status from the AOAC Research Institute, Washington, D.C., for its new rapid test developed for use in the United States to detect dairy antibiotic residues, including ceftiofur, in milk.

Neogen’s newly validated BetaStar Plus test (AOAC-RI 021107) detects dairy antibiotic residues in the beta-lactam group (penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephapirin, ceftiofur and cloxacillin), at or below FDA regulatory levels. BetaStar Plus is an extremely simple dipstick test that requires only minimal training and equipment to produce consistently accurate results.

“The AOAC’s validation process was very thorough, and is a major step to gain final acceptance for use by the NCIMS [National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments] to comply with FDA regulations that require the mandatory testing of milk for dairy antibiotics,” says Ed Bradley, Neogen’s vice president for food safety. “BetaStar Plus was designed specifically for our domestic market, and is a new version of our BetaStar test that is a market leader in approximately 40 countries around the world.”

BetaStar Plus is one of the fastest dairy antibiotic residue tests available, and can be used on the farm, tanker or in the laboratory. In just five minutes, BetaStar Plus gives clear results, with one line of detection specifically for ceftiofur. The test can be used with Neogen’s AccuScan III reader for accurate record keeping and data analysis.

In addition, Neogen offers BetaStar Combo, a dairy antibiotic residue test for beta-lactam and tetracycline residues. Neogen’s other solutions for the dairy industry include rapid milk allergen tests, rapid foodborne pathogen and indicator organism tests, an unequaled sanitation monitoring ATP system, a full line of cleaners and disinfectants, rodenticides and animal care instruments, including needles and syringes.

Antibiotics have been used in cows for many years to treat such common infections as mastitis. The past several years has seen increased pressure on milk producers to increase milk production from each and every cow. This pressure often results in more infections, and the increased use of antibiotics to counter these infections. The betalactam group of antibiotics is responsible for approximately 95% of all milk antibiotic contamination.


About Neogen Corp.
Neogen Corp., Lansing, Mich., develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s food safety division markets diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases, sanitation concerns and dehydrated culture media. Neogen’s animal safety division markets a complete line of diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, disinfectants and rodenticides.