Nitrofurans have been widely used in veterinary practice as antibacterial agents in the treatment of pigs, poultry, fish and shrimp. Bans on nitrofurans were introduced within the EU primarily because of concerns about their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Several other Non-European countries have also banned all uses of nitrofurans in food producing animals. Tissue residue of Nitrofurantoin is mainly protein bound, therefore the main metabolite 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) is proposed as the marker residue.
The Randox Food Diagnostics AHD ELISA test kit detects AHD nitrofuran residues in aquaculture and meat samples.