In modern dairy quality systems, antibiotic residue detection is not just about accepting or rejecting milk, it’s about having validated, scientifically defensible proof behind every decision. Even in highly regulated environments, a single residue incident can set off a chain of complications, from milk rejections and product recalls to strained relationships with producers.
Today, the challenge for quality assurance is not merely identifying positive or negative results, but ensuring absolute confidence in them. Every “negative” must be trusted and every decision supported by validated science. That’s why the industry’s focus has shifted toward independently validated rapid screening tools, systems designed to deliver immediate, reliable results right at the point of intake.
Why Validation Matters in Rapid Screening
The push for faster testing has also raised a critical question: how can rapid methods be trusted to perform at the same level as traditional ones? Independent validations from institutes such as ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) now play a key role in establishing credibility, verifying that rapid kits meet defined performance criteria for accuracy, repeatability and stability.
When a rapid test receives ILVO validation, it demonstrates not only scientific robustness but also regulatory reliability, providing essential assurance to QA professionals who bear the responsibility for every quality decision made within the production line.
Quantum BT-CC: Fast, Validated Results
A recent example is the Quantum BT-CC lateral flow test from ProGnosis Biotech, which has added the ILVO validation to its already existing PIWET one, for the detection of antibiotic residues in cow, sheep and goat milk.
Part of the Quantum Antibiotics Series, the Quantum BT-CC detects β-lactams, including Cephalexin and Ceftiofur, along with tetracyclines covering key antibiotic families of concern in dairy. Quantum technology uses a dual-scan system that first performs an early “Quantum Read” to instantly clear negative samples, while only continuing to a “Final Read” when a result may be positive or uncertain. This approach halves total analysis time and ensures reliable confirmation even in complex matrices such as sheep milk.
What sets it apart is its speed and practicality:
- Negative results in 2 minutes, full quantification in 5.
- No incubation or special equipment required.
- Both visual and instrumental interpretation.
- Compatible with portable 3PR mini reader and mobile app connectivity for easy data sharing.
For plant managers, this means being able to accept or isolate milk tankers on the spot. For laboratory technicians, it means defensible data supported by ILVO validation, reducing uncertainty, retests and downtime.
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What ILVO confirmed
- Detection at EU MRLs: all β-lactams (including cefalexin & ceftiofur) and tetracyclines detected in at least 95% of samples at their respective EU MRLs under Regulation (EU) No 37/2010.
- Granular sensitivity across families: For example, benzylpenicillin 2 µg/kg, amoxicillin 2 µg/kg, cloxacillin 3 µg/kg, cephapirin 3 µg/kg, cefquinome 5 µg/kg, cefazolin 30 µg/kg, cefalexin 6 µg/kg and oxytetracycline 40 µg/kg (instrumental cut-off R = 1.10).
- Specificity without cross-family hits: Doesn’t detect compounds from sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, quinolones, polymyxins, amphenicols, macrolides, lincosamides, diamino-pyrimidines, nor dapsone.
- Zero false positives: 600 blank samples (300 farm, 300 tanker) yielded 0% false positives across all four channels.
- Ring-trial performance: In ILVO’s national ring trial (April 2025), Quantum BT-CC correctly screened fortified β-lactams and oxytetracycline with no false positives, consistent with the method’s detection capabilities.
In addition to Quantum BT-CC, Quantum BT-Cef, Quantum BT-S and Quantum BT-SQ tests have also received ILVO validations, broadening the validated options dairies can rely on for rapid, on-site antibiotic screening.
Building Trust Through Scientific Proof
For QA professionals, the real value of the ILVO validation lies in risk reduction. It bridges the gap between rapid field testing and laboratory-level reliability, allowing faster yet fully traceable decisions.
With Quantum BT-CC, validated speed becomes the new standard for dairy quality assurance, proving that science, when paired with precision and responsibility, can move as fast as production demands.
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