Coccidiostats are substances that destroy the protozoans or inhibit their growth. This class includes chemically different substances, such as salinomycin and lasalocid (ionophore polyesthers), or nicarbazin and halofuginone. The use of these drugs can be authorized as additives in feed, but under specific conditions of use, such as for certain species or class of animals.

 

In feed factories producing materials containing coccidostats, there is a high probability that these substances contaminate also “normal” feeds (“cross-contamination”). As it is impossibile to avoid this type of contamination, the EU has issued the Regulation 124/2009 on 10th February 2009. The Regulation states the maximum content of coccidiostats in animal derived food products.