New Delhi, July 31 (KNN) Ministry of Health & Family welfare through Ministry of Food Processing Industries have invited comments from the food industry on  the bacterial infections in India as the Antimicrobial Resistance is being identified as a public health challenge.

“In light of the high burden of bacterial infections in India, Antimicrobial Resistance is being identified as a public health challenge. Additionally, there is a dearth of regulatory data on use of antibiotics in food and non-food animals and fish for therapeutic and non-therapeutic purpose,” said the Concept note on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in India.

India also accounted for 3% of the global consumption of antibiotics in food animals while being ranked at number 4 globally. Considering the same, an Inter-Ministerial meeting was conducted on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance in India.

The note highlights the importance of AMR Containment in India and the world along with relevant global data and initiatives that have been/ are being taken in this direction.

The report also mentions expected roles of key sectors in containment of AMR according to which FSSAI and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare may work in collaboration regarding food standards, awareness raising, surveillance and regulation of FSSAI.

The note states that MoFPI is expected to ensure food safety by monitoring and eliminate presence of AMR and Antibiotics in the food industry.

In the note, similar roles have been defined for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, ICAR, ICMR, CSIR etc.

Immediate steps to tackle AMR in India have also been suggested. An inter-Ministerial Meeting on AMR is planned to engage all relevant ministries to own the comprehensive national action plan on AMR.

The Delhi Declaration on AMR is proposed to be endorsed by all key stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment towards containment of AMR in India.

Develop operational plan for National Action Plan on AMR.

In this regard, the Ministry has sought inputs from all stakeholders to give their relevant views. (KNN Bureau)