In October 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned the use of some antibiotics used in the production of meat, meat products, milk, milk products, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture. The ban in usage of antibiotics will enhance the quality of livestock farming in India. This regulatory decision is a crucial move to safeguard public health and curb the growing threat of  antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which renders certain bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat with standard medications among consumers, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Susmitha Bynagari, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Being one of the major producers and exporters of milk, eggs, fish, and poultry meat, India needs to regulate the use of antibiotics during livestock farming and production in order to sustain itself in the global market. Also, the country needs to keep a constant check on the usage of antibiotics in animal production to maintain the quality of the products that are exported. This ban on the usage of antibiotics in feed using for meat and poultry is also implemented in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.”

India has also committed to reduce the usage of antimicrobials used in animal production by 30-50% by 2030.  Indian consumers also prefer healthy products, which is bolstered by the GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey*, where 73% of the Indian respondents said that well-being always or often influences while purchasing food and beverage products. This shift in consumer behavior is driving demand for more sustainable and safer food products.

Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager at GlobalData, adds: “To effectively tackle the issue of AMR, the FSSAI must ensure that the ban on these usage of  on antibiotics in animal  production is strictly implemented across the country. However, enforcement alone is not enough. It is equally important for the government to collaborate with local organizations to raise awareness among farmers, especially in rural areas, about the dangers of overusing antibiotics as growth promoters. A grassroots approach will be critical to achieving long-term success in reducing antibiotic use in agriculture and ultimately protecting public health.”

Bynagari concludes: “The tightening of antibiotic usage regulations by FSSAI reflects growing concerns over AMR, which poses a significant threat to public health globally. These regulatory measures are seen as an essential step in safeguarding the quality of the products exported. Furthermore, educating farmers on sustainable practices and promoting the use of alternative methods to enhance livestock production could play a pivotal role in curbing AMR and ensuring food safety.”

*GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey – India, with 500 respondents, published in October 2024