The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is proposing tighter control on the use of antibiotics to speed up growth in food-producing animals such as chicken in a new draft order. The proposal is meant to bring attention to the various health problems that arise once humans consume foods deriving from animals manipulated with the overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics.

The draft is asking for:

• Specific prerequisites to ensure compliance with Indian food regulations
• New rules and procedures in relation to the inspection and monitoring of slaughtering and processing plants
• Modified health certificates for imported meat and poultry in India

After conducting testing on chicken meat in 2014 and finding high levels of antibiotics in them, the Center for Science and Environment has publicized their concern about the “unregulated entry of antibiotics into the food-producing industry…” The FSSAI’s proposal should alleviate this concern if carried out as planned.

FSSAI is welcoming public comments with the hope of implementing the proposal on July 1, 2015.