German discount retailer Aldi today [Monday] withdrew a consignment of Chinese shrimps after they were found to contain the banned antibiotic chloramphenicol.

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The antibiotic is used to treat fatal diseases such as anthrax and typhoid but is otherwise kept out of circulation because can cause a dangerous form of anaemia. It is prohibited from use in food or feed within the European Union.


The shrimps retail under the Golden Seafood brand and were being distributed through Aldi outlets in Hessen and south Sauerland. The antibiotic was discovered during a routine check by health authorities, during which just one sample showed low-level residues.


This news from Aldi follows Friday’s recommendation from the EU Veterinary Committee that imports of frozen seafood from China be banned following the discovery of antibiotic drug residues.

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