FSSAI notified stricter rules for antibiotics in food items
Context:
Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified stricter rules for antibiotics in food items specifically in the production of meat and dairy products, effective from April 1, 2025.
- This move aligns with India’s commitment to the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto on AMR (2022).
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
About the Issue:
- The ban is part of India’s compliance with global efforts under the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and the Third Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR aimed at boosting political action and funding to control AMR.
What is AMR and Why It’s a Concern:
- Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.
- It develops when microbes become resistant to the effects of medicines, which ultimately makes infections harder to treat.
- However, it is a natural phenomenon for bacteria to evolve, making drugs used to treat infections less effective.
- Causes: Overuse/misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture.
- Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are also referred to as “superbugs”.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health.
- Health Threat: In 2019, nearly 5 million deaths were linked to drug-resistant infections.
- Economic Cost: World Bank warns of US$ 1 trillion in added healthcare expenses by 2050.
About the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto:
- The Muscat Ministerial Manifesto aims to
- Reduce the total amount of antimicrobials used in agrifood systems by at least 30 percent to 50 percent by 2030.
- End the use of medically important antimicrobials for growth promotion in animals.
- Ensure the Appropriate Antibiotic Access group antibiotics represent at least 60% of human antibiotic consumption by 2030.
Way Forward:
- Biosecurity measures on farms
- Promotion of organic and low-antibiotic farming
- Vaccination, probiotics, and a One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health.
Prelims Question:
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
- It can be caused by overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.
- The Muscat Ministerial Manifesto is associated with AMR control.
- FSSAI has banned all antibiotics in agriculture from 2024.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
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