Nitrofuran derivatives are used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and protozoa in cattle, pigs, poultry and fish . Several countries including the USA, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand and Brazil are reported to have banned all uses of nitrofurans in food producing animals . The ban on nitrofurans was introduced primarily because of concerns about their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity . Nitrofurans have been detected in food items imported into the European Union , and there is evidence of continued illegal abuse of nitrofurans within the European Union