Government Bans Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans in Food-Producing Animals

The Indian government, through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (Veterinary Division), has issued a notification prohibiting the import, manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of drug formulations containing Chloramphenicol or Nitrofurans in any food-producing animal rearing system. This ban, effective immediately, comes in response to concerns about potential risks to human health. This notice was issued on April 2, 2025.

Reports have surfaced indicating the use of Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans in food-producing animals, raising concerns about potential residues entering the human food chain and posing health risks.

In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Notification on March 12, 2025, officially banning these drugs in animal rearing.

The government has directed all State and Union Territory (UT) Drugs Controllers to:

1. Sensitize their inspectorate staff to enforce the ban.
2. Maintain strict vigilance over the manufacture, sale, and distribution of Chloramphenicol and Nitrofuran formulations.
3. Prevent the use of these drugs in any food-producing animal rearing system.
4. Take necessary action under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
5. Report the details of action taken to the central government for further action.

Rationale for the Ban

Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurans are antibiotics that, while effective in treating certain animal infections, can pose risks to human health if residues are present in food products. These risks include:

1. The use of these antibiotics in animals can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can then be transferred to humans, making infections harder to treat.
2. Some Nitrofurans have been linked to potential carcinogenic effects in humans.
3. Chloramphenicol has been associated with severe blood disorders in humans.

This ban will have a significant impact on the food-producing animal industry, requiring farmers and producers to adopt alternative methods for disease prevention and treatment.