A state government wing has written to the animal husbandry department, flagging the risks of indiscriminately injecting antibiotics in poultry. Senior officials of the wing said that the overuse of antibiotics could lead to the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, which could pose a serious threat to public health.
The letter, dated December 15, 2023, stated that the use of antibiotics in poultry should be regulated and monitored, as per the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It also suggested that the animal husbandry department should conduct periodic tests to detect the presence of antibiotic residues and MDR bacteria in chicken meat and eggs.
The letter cited a recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, which found that chicken meat sold in Mumbai markets contained high levels of antibiotic residues and MDR bacteria. The study, published in the journal Foods, analyzed 100 samples of chicken meat from different markets and found that 46% of them had antibiotic residues, while 51% had MDR bacteria. The study also found that some of the MDR bacteria were resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic used to treat life-threatening infections in humans.
The letter warned that the consumption of chicken meat and eggs contaminated with antibiotic residues and MDR bacteria could lead to adverse health effects, such as allergic reactions, toxicity, and antibiotic resistance. It also said that the MDR bacteria could spread from poultry to humans through direct contact, environmental contamination, or cross-contamination of food.
The letter urged the animal husbandry department to take immediate steps to curb the misuse of antibiotics in poultry and ensure the safety and quality of chicken products. It also recommended that the department should educate the poultry farmers and veterinarians about the rational use of antibiotics and the importance of hygiene and biosecurity measures.
The letter came in the wake of growing concerns over the impact of antibiotic use in livestock and poultry on human health and the environment. According to the WHO, antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development. The WHO estimates that by 2050, antibiotic resistance could cause 10 million deaths per year and cost the world economy $100 trillion.
While some countries have banned or restricted the use of antibiotics in animal production, India has no such regulations in place. India is one of the largest consumers and producers of antibiotics in the world, and also one of the hotspots of antibiotic resistance. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2017 revealed that 40% of the poultry farms in India used antibiotics for growth promotion, while 58% used them without prescription.
However, some experts and stakeholders have been advocating for alternative and sustainable solutions to prevent and control diseases in poultry, without relying on antibiotics. For instance, a team of researchers from the University of Connecticut has developed a novel probiotic application method that sprays chicken eggs prior to hatching with commercially available probiotics. The researchers claim that this method can promote embryonic and post-hatch growth, enhance immunity, and reduce mortality in chickens.
As the demand for chicken and eggs continues to rise in India, the need for ensuring the safety and quality of poultry products becomes more imperative. The letter by the state government wing is a timely reminder of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the poultry industry and the public health sector.
