Chicken is a key component of India’s fast-growing fast food industry, and the use of antibiotics is hugely contributing to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
A study released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that fast food multinational companies who have made specific and time-bound commitments to eliminate the misuse of antibiotics in chicken supply chains in several developed countries have taken no such steps in India. CSE said its assessments revealed that the MNCs maintained ‘double standards’ in the absence of any government regulation in these matters.
Chicken is a key component of India’s fast-growing fast food industry, and the use of antibiotics is hugely contributing to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
“India bears a serious burden of bacterial infections. Unsanitary conditions, limited infection prevention and control, poor regulations and implementation, and inadequate health systems add to the problem. Due to high resistance, antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, macrolides and cephalosporins used to treat common infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract etc. and those used as a last resort in hospitals are increasingly becoming ineffective,” read the report.
As part of the report, CSE reached out to over to 12 fast food MNCs that 14 key brands in India. Of these, five companies which operated six brands responded to the queries posed by CSE. “Only three out of the nine companies managing four multinational brands responded. These include those managing Subway, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts (the last two brands are managed by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. in India). Two out of three companies managing Indian brands responded. These include Café Coffee Day and Barista. Seven companies managing eight brands did not respond,” said the report.
The report states that six companies that operate seven multinational brands — McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Starbucks and Wendy’s — did not respond. Nirula’s was only the Indian brand to not respond.
CSE’s Amit Khurana, who heads the food safety and toxics team and worked on the report, said the immediate fallout is that consumers will become immune to antibiotics. “This antibiotic resistance in humans mean curable infections will become more difficult to treat. This concerns public health and food safety that has severe health implications. While MNCs are making these commitments in other parts of the world, there seems to be no reason why should they not do it in India. The only reason perhaps is that government does not have adequate regulation and we are not asking enough questions,” said Khurana.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "chicken supply")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}