Emerging issue of antibiotic resistance from food producing animals in India: Perspective and legal framework

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntensification of the animal husbandry sector in India has coincided with increased administration of antibiotics in food-producing animals for the treatment and prevention of diseases or to promote growth and enhance productivity. Antibiotics are an important tool for the livestock sector to meet the increased domestic demand of food for the burgeoning human population. The irrational use of antibiotics in food-producing animals has resulted in the occurrence of the residues in milk, meat, eggs, etc., and may lead to adverse health effects in consumers. Also there is growing concern that nonprudent use of antibiotics is linked with the escalating emergence of human infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens of zoonotic importance. Regulations controlling the use of antibiotics in human and animal medicine in India are very weak and in its initial phases. The aim of this review is to investigate the Indian scenario with regards to the occurrence of antibiotics residues and emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens from foods of animal origin. Studies conducted in various parts of the country revealed varying concentrations of antibiotic residues and varying occurrence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in animal-originated foods highlighting the need of effective control strategies for combating this potentially serious problem.