The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has revised antibiotic residue norms for meat, milk, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture products to combat antimicrobial resistance.

The new regulations, effective April 1, 2025, lower permissible antibiotic levels and expand the list of monitored drugs.

The FSSAI has also banned antibiotic use in honey production and set new limits for contaminants like ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in wheat, barley, rye, and coffee.

These measures aim to address the rise of 'superbugs'—bacteria and fungi resistant to antibiotics—resulting from misuse in agriculture and healthcare.

Experts emphasize that strict enforcement of these regulations is crucial to ensure consumer safety and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.