In a major step to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has banned the use of several medically important antibiotics, antivirals, and antiprotozoals in the aquaculture sector, effective May 2025.
Goal: Protect public health, ensure food safety, and support antibiotic-free seafood exports.
Applies to: Hatcheries, feed units, and processing units for shrimp, prawns, fish, etc.
Banned Classes: Includes fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, nitrofurans—crucial to human medicine.
Export Impact: Helps maintain $7.38 billion seafood export industry by aligning with global standards.
Background: AMR is rising due to overuse of antibiotics in food production; India is a major global aquaculture producer.
This move builds on past efforts by FSSAI and aligns with WHO guidelines to limit the use of medically important antimicrobials in food systems.