Japan set new MRLs of Zeranol in meat and seafood products

On March 17, 2022, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare established MRLs for Zeranol in food producing animals. It is already in force for those products placed on the Japanese market.

Zeranol (α-Zearalanol) (CAS # 26538-44-3) is derived from Zearalenone, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium (a fungi species) on many grain crops including corn, wheat, sorghum, and barley. Currently, it is produced commercially and widely used to improve feed conversion efficiency and promote growth rates in livestock production. However, the application of Zeranol to food producing animals has raised public health concerns due to its potentially endocrine disrupting properties. In order to protect consumers from the risk of residues, the main beef exporting countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Zeranol, whereas EU has banned it[1]. Recently, Zeranol has been approved for use in animal products and seafood by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan and its MRL set[2] as shown in Table 1.

Screening for Zeranol can be carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as the results are rapid, and cost-effective. Nonetheless, complex foods may be affected by unreliable results from this technique. Therefore, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is strongly recommended for result confirmation in the laboratory because of its high selectivity, specificity and sensitivity..

Table 1 Japan’s MRLs for Zeranol in animal products.

What do these changes mean?

This update has the potential to affect farms and food manufacturers. Food products destined for Japan, if listed in Table 1, must not have residues of Zeranol exceeding the MRLs. Complying with food safety regulations can be a complex, time-consuming and expensive process. Food producers should seek professional advice.

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