FSSAI tightens the rule for antibiotics limit in food items

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has expanded the list of medications under surveillance and reduced the acceptable limits of antibiotic residues in its new regulations.

On April 1, 2025, the modifications will go into effect.

“If enforced strictly, the regulations will ensure safer food products for consumers by setting stricter residue and contaminant limits across a variety of food items and help in dealing with antimicrobial resistance,” said George Cheriyan, working president of the Consumers Protection Association (CPA).

Cheriyan explained, “Using antibiotics as growth promoters is resulting in the development of antibiotic-resistant strains and the release of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment.”

Lowering the allowable limits and adding new medications to its watch list, India’s food safety agency has tightened antibiotic residue standards for meat and meat products, milk and milk products, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture.

Reason Behind Lowering Antibiotics Limit

In order to address the growing issue of “superbugs,” which are bacteria and fungi that have become resistant to antibiotics and other drugs as a result of drug “misuse,” the action was taken.

The revised regulations include reset contamination levels for substances like ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in wheat, wheat bran, barley, rye, and coffee, and also forbid the use of antibiotics in the manufacture of honey, the article noted.

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