New Regulations Implemented

India’s food safety regulator has tightened rules on antibiotic residue in meat, milk, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture by reducing acceptable levels and adding more drugs to the monitoring list. This action targets the growing problem of ‘superbugs’—microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that have become resistant to antibiotics due to improper use. The updated limits set by FSSAI will take effect on April 1, 2025.

Expert Insights

George Cheriyan, working president of the Consumers Protection Association (CPA), stated that enforcing stricter regulations will ensure safer food products by imposing more rigorous limits on residues and contaminants across various food items, addressing antimicrobial resistance in the process. The FSSAI has also banned antibiotics in honey production and revised the allowable levels of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in wheat, wheat bran, barley, rye, and coffee.

Understanding the Threat

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to health and development, as microbes become drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ through antibiotic exposure. India reports some of the highest resistance levels to antimicrobial agents in both human and animal usage. George Cheriyan noted that farmers commonly use antibiotics to treat animal illnesses, but using them as growth enhancers leads to the emergence of resistant strains and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. The last establishment of maximum residue limits for antibiotics occurred in 2011, and Cheriyan emphasized the need for a revision now.

Rising Resistance Rates

A new study from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed that treating conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), blood infections, pneumonia, and typhoid has become increasingly difficult due to rising resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Call for Action

The study calls for urgent measures to tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and underscores the importance of stricter controls on antibiotic use. An analysis of 99,492 samples collected from hospitals and clinics in India throughout 2023 shows a concerning rise in antibiotic resistance and a decline in the effectiveness of common bacteria.

Addressing Misuse in Agriculture

The report also highlights the misuse of essential antibiotics in farming, which accelerates resistance. It stresses the need for stronger actions to protect the effectiveness of crucial antibiotics for both human and animal health.

Source: The Economic Times