Determination of clenbuterol in UHT milk in Turkey

Clenbuterol use is linked to its ability to induce weight gain and a greater proportion of muscle to fat. Clenbuterol residues can affect lung and heart function in persons who have eaten liver or meat of animals which were given the drug. Any residue of clenbuterol is regarded unacceptable in the EU. The purpose of the study was to determine the occurrence of clenbuterol in UHT milk samples in Turkey. The occurrence of hormone residues in Ultra Heat Treatment (UHT) milk samples was investigated by semi‐quantitative enzyme‐linked immunoassay technique. There was a high incidence rate of clenbuterol, with forty‐one (68.3%) milk samples being contaminated. 21.7% of the samples were over the permissible level for clenbuterol as accepted by the EU. Clenbuterol levels in the samples purchased in Central Anatolia Region appear to be serious public health problem at the moment.