Antibiotic Content in Chicken Meat

Antibiotic Content in Chicken Meat

As per the available information, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-government organization, had released a laboratory study on antibiotics in chicken on 30.07.2014. CSE tested 70 chicken samples collected from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). Three tissues viz. muscle, liver and kidney from these samples were tested for the presence of six antibiotics commonly used in poultry such as Oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxycyclines, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and neomycin. 

Out of 70 samples, 40 percent samples were tested positive for different antibiotics. Residues of more than one antibiotic were found in 17 per cent samples. Antibiotics were found in all three tissues tested. Liver samples contained the maximum level of antibiotics, followed by muscle and kidney tissue. Neomycin was not detected. 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide GSR 28(E) dated 17th January, 2012 has amended Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 making it mandatory that the container of medicine for the treatment of food producing animals shall be labelled with the withdrawal period of the drug for the species on which it is intended to be used. State Drugs Licensing Authority are empowered under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder to take action in case of violation of these requirements. Accordingly, animal products should not be used before the withdrawal period of the drug is over. 

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries had issued advisories on 03.06.2014 and 02.12.2014 to all States and UTs for judicious use of antibiotics in treatment of food producing animals and also stopping the use of antibiotics in animal feed. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in the Rajya Sabha today. 

Source : PIB