New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made an important decision to ban the use of certain antibiotics in animal food products. This step is aimed at fighting the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which makes it harder to treat some bacterial infections.

What’s Changed?

In October, the FSSAI introduced a ban on antibiotics used in the production of meat, milk, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture. This ban will improve the quality of livestock farming in India and help protect public health.

Why is This Important?

AMR is a serious issue, as it reduces the effectiveness of common medicines used to treat infections. The new rules aim to prevent this problem by regulating the use of antibiotics in animal farming. According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, this ban will help safeguard both human health and the quality of animal-based products.

India’s Role in the Global Market

India is one of the largest producers and exporters of milk, eggs, fish, and poultry meat. As part of its global role, it is important for India to regulate antibiotic use in animal farming to maintain high product standards. The ban aligns India with other countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, which have already implemented similar rules.

Focus on Healthier Products

A recent survey by GlobalData found that 73 percent of Indian consumers consider health and well-being when buying food and beverages. This shift in consumer preferences is driving demand for safer, more sustainable food products.

India has also committed to reducing the use of antibiotics in animal farming by 30-50 percent by 2030. To effectively tackle AMR, it will be crucial for the FSSAI to strictly enforce this new ban across the country.

Experts say that a grassroots approach will be key to long-term success in reducing antibiotic use in farming, ultimately helping to protect both public health and the environment.

IANS