Lok Sabha Question No. 4980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-01
Subject: Antibiotic Residue in Milk
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4980 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st APRIL, 2022

## ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUE IN MILK

## 4980. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  has  reported  excessive antibiotic  residue  in  milk  products,  indicating  overuse  of  antibiotics  and  lack  of  veterinary consultations, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  antibiotic  residue  in  the  milk  is  due  to  recommendations  made  by  the Government  to  use  antibiotics  for  bovine  diseases  such  as  mastitis  related  to  mammary glands, if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  examine  the  efficacy  of  plant  based  or  herbal alternatives to said antibiotics to ensure that milk quality is not adversely impacted?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a)  to  (c)  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  informed  that  it  has specified the standards of milk under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Further, the tolerance limits for various antibiotics and veterinary drugs in milk and other food products is specified in sub-regulation 2.3.2 of Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Contaminants,  Toxinsand  Residues)  Regulations,  2011  and amendments thereof.

All Food Business Operators involved in processing and sale of milk are required to adhere  to  the  specified  Regulations.  Implementation  and  enforcement  of  Food  Safety  and Standards  Act,  2006  primarily  lies  with  State/UT  Governments.  Commissioners  of  Food Safety  of  States/UTs  conduct  surveillance,  sampling,  inspection  and  enforcement  drives through their food safety officials to ensure the quality and safety of milk and milk products conforms to specified standards.

FSSAI has recognized and notified 240 National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration  Laboratories  (NABL)  accredited  food  testing  laboratories  across  the  country. Also, for on the spot testing of adulterants in milk and milk products, 173 mobile food testing laboratories  equipped  with  rapid  milk  analyser  have  been  sanctioned/  provided  to  the States/UTs.

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India has informed  that  it  had  issued  an  advisory  to  all  States  and  Union  Territories  regarding  the judicious use of antibiotic for treatment of ailing food producing animals. Further, it was also advised  that  use  of  antibiotics  should  be  discouraged,  if  not  essential  and  development, production and use of alternative antibiotic free growth promoters should be encouraged.

The National Milk Safety and Quality Survey, 2018 was conducted by FSSAI. The details of the survey are available on the website of FSSAI i.e https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/press\_release/2019/10/5da973ffaefcfPress\_Release\_Milk\_Su rvey\_Report\_18\_10\_2019.pdf

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