Recent regulations, effective April 1, 2025, from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have imposed a strict ban on several high-risk antibiotics, including colistin, chloramphenicol, and nitrofurans, in milk production. This prohibition extends to any stage of production for milk and milk products, significantly broadening the scope beyond previous regulations. Additionally, the FSSAI has revised and expanded the list of monitored antibiotics, adding six new ones to bring the total to 27, and mandating rapid screening tools for residue detection at collection centers, chilling units, and bulk milk coolers.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock farming has been a major contributor to AMR, with residues found in milk posing risks like allergic reactions and gut health disruption in consumers. Beyond public health, these residues also hinder dairy processing, affecting fermentation and potentially leading to product spoilage and economic losses for dairy units. Therefore, this government action is not only a public health imperative but also a move to ensure the integrity and quality of Indian dairy products.

Challenges persist in effective implementation, particularly at the grassroots level among small and medium dairy farmers who may lack access to affordable testing solutions and proper veterinary services. There’s a recognized need for capacity building, farmer education on responsible antibiotic usage, and the adoption of cost-effective rapid test kits for early residue detection. Despite these hurdles, India has committed to reducing antimicrobial use in the agri-food sector by 30-50% by 2030, aligning with international efforts like the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto on AMR.