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Colistin banned in animal food industry
Why is it in news?
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an order prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements.
More in news
- Movement against anti-microbial resistance: Intensivists across the country are rejoicing as the move is a “massive victory” for the movement against anti-microbial resistance.
- Colistin:(1) Colistin is a valuable, last-resort antibiotic that saves lives in critical care units.(2) Excessive use of any drug leads to resistance. If its use as a growth factor in animals is controlled and it used for therapeutic usage only, then the chances of developing resistance to it goes down.
- Increasing antimicrobial resistance:(1) In recent years, medical professionals have been alarmed by the number of patients who have exhibited resistance to the drug.(2) Therefore, any move to ensure that arbitrary use of colistin in the food industry, particularly as growth supplements used in animals, poultry, aqua farms, would likely reduce the antimicrobial resistance within the country.
- What order says?: The order directed manufacturers of colistin and its formulations (since it is also used to treat humans) to affix a label on the container reading thus: Not to be used in food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements: on the package, insert and promotional literature.
Source
The Hindu