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Answer: Yes — Oxytetracycline is banned in 1 country/region including European Union. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: citrus, apples, pears.
TL;DR: Oxytetracycline is banned in the EU but allowed in the US (pesticides).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
CAS 79-57-2.
| EU status | Banned |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | citrus, apples, pears |
| CAS number | 79-57-2 |
Oxytetracycline (CAS 79-57-2) is a antibiotic used in industrial agriculture.
It is applied as a antibiotic spray for citrus greening and fire blight.
EU prohibits agricultural use of medically important antibiotics on crops.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Oxytetracyclinewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
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Yes — Oxytetracycline is banned in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
Oxytetracycline is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Independent reviews flag Oxytetracycline for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
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