The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued a directive to all State and Union Territory Drug Controllers mandating immediate reinforcement of surveillance measures against the unlawful use of Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans in food-producing animal rearing systems.
Despite March 2025 prohibition under Notification S.O. 1158 — citing human health risks and the availability of safer alternatives — antibiotic residues continue to surface in India’s shrimp export consignments, triggering a 43% rejection rate in 2025 by the European Union, United States, and Japan.
According to MPEDA data flagged by CDSCO, over 40 farms spread across Andhra Pradesh (74%), Odisha (13%), West Bengal (8.7%), and Gujarat (4.3%) have been identified in connection with rejected consignments. This comes at a critical juncture: India recorded a landmark ₹73,890.46 crore ($8.46 billion) in seafood exports in FY26, with frozen shrimp alone contributing $5.62 billion.
CDSCO has directed state authorities to report inspection numbers, enforcement outcomes, and punitive actions against violators under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, ensuring drug supply exclusively through licensed channels.
Written By: Sayan Das
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
