Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans

The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended a total ban on two antibiotics: chloramphenicol and nitrofurans.

DCC’s Decision and FSSAI Actions

• The DCC’s decision aligns with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• In 2018, FSSAI  banned the use of several antibiotics and veterinary drugs, including nitrofurans and chloramphenicol, in processing meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and fishery products.
  • The FSSAI notification set strict residue limits for these antibiotics:
    • 0.001 milligrams per kilogram for most antibiotics.
    • 0.0003 milligrams per kilogram specifically for chloramphenicol.
• The DCC’s recommendation needs final approval from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
  • DTAB is the highest authority on drug regulations in India
• Scope of the Ban:
  • The ban is specifically for the use of these antibiotics in food animal production systems.

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Reasons for the Ban on Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans

• Rejected Shrimp Exports:
  • Chloramphenicol and nitrofurans are banned in shrimp farming but are still being detected.
    • This leads to rejections of shrimp exports, especially to strict markets like EU, US and Japan.
• Public Health Risk:
• • Misuse of these antibiotics in animals can cause  development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the global health issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).  
    • This can make it harder to treat human infections.
• Protecting Important Medicines:
  • Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in various human infections.
    • Banning its use in animals helps preserve its effectiveness for human medicine.
• Aligning with Food Safety Standards:
  • FSSAI already banned these antibiotics in meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood.
    • This ban strengthens existing regulations on antibiotic residues in food products.

About Chloramphenicol

• Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic
• Recognized by WHO as a Highly Important Antimicrobial (HIA).
• Used for Treating:
  • Superficial eye infections.
  • Enteric fever.
  • Typhoid fever.
  • Central nervous system infections like acute bacterial meningitis.

About Nitrofuran

• Nitrofurans are a group of drugs.
• They are mainly used as antibiotics or antimicrobials.
• Classified by WHO as Important Antimicrobials (IA).
• Application: Nitrofurantoin, a common nitrofuran derivative, is used for treating urinary tract infections.
• Banned: Banned in food-producing animals in many countries, including parts of the European Union and the USA.

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Benefits and Challenges of Banning Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans in Food Animal Production Systems