Key Update

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) organised a sectoral stakeholder consultation on antibiotic residues at FDA Bhawan, New Delhi, reinforcing its commitment to science-based regulatory reforms to protect public health. More than 70 stakeholders—including government officials, FBO associations, laboratory representatives, regulatory experts, and food industry members—participated in the consultation. They discussed policy implementation, compliance mechanisms, and monitoring systems to control antibiotic residues in food products.

Highlights

Key focus areas discussed during the consultation included:

Review of Veterinary Drug Provisions

Participants reviewed and proposed strengthening provisions under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011, focusing on veterinary drug residues in animal-derived foods.

Labelling Framework for Animal-Derived Foods

Stakeholders deliberated on developing a regulatory framework to label animal-derived food products based on antibiotic usage, aiming to enhance consumer transparency.

Clear Regulatory Definitions

Experts emphasised including precise definitions related to antibiotic residues and antimicrobial usage to eliminate ambiguity and strengthen enforcement.

Draft Guidance on AMU & AMR

The consultation examined a draft guidance document on Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), aligning India’s standards with global best practices and addressing rising AMR concerns.

Strengthening Food Safety

FSSAI used the consultation to drive science-based policymaking, improve regulatory transparency, strengthen industry compliance, and safeguard consumer health— marking a significant step toward safer food systems and reduced antimicrobial resistance risks in India.

Source: Foodtech Network