Banned antibiotics behind 43% of shrimp export rejections; CDSCO seeks stricter enforcement

NEW DELHI: Nearly 43% of cases in which Indian shrimp exports were rejected by the US, European Union and Japan this year were linked to residues of banned antibiotics, prompting India's drug regulator to seek stricter enforcement of existing restrictions.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has directed all states and Union Territories to strengthen inspections and monitoring of the use of Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans, antibiotics banned in food-producing animals because their residues can violate international food safety standards.

According to the regulator, the violations were traced to more than 40 farms, with Andhra Pradesh accounting for 46% of the cases, followed by Odisha (24%), West Bengal (19%) and Gujarat (11%).

The issue was flagged by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which reported continued detection of the banned drugs in export shipments and called for stronger oversight of veterinary medicine outlets.

CDSCO has asked states to furnish details on how the ban is being implemented, the number of inspections carried out at veterinary drug shops and related establishments, and action taken against violators.

The regulator has also directed states to ensure that these drugs are sold only through licensed channels for permitted purposes and said violations should attract action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.