CSE accuses poultry industry of misrepresenting its study

New Delhi: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has slammed an advertisement highlighting that no antibiotics are used in chicken as an “eye wash” and alleged that the use of antibiotics in poultry sector is “rampant”.

The advertisement by All-India Poultry Development and Services Private Limited refers to the results of a 2014 study of CSE on chicken.

Terming the advertisement as “complete misrepresentation”, the CSE strongly rejected the way the study results “have been twisted” to suggest that there is no misuse of antibiotics in the poultry sector and that the chicken produced is safe.

“They are even using life-saving drugs like colistin to fatten the chicken. There seem to be no genuine attempt by the industry to reduce antibiotic misuse and this advertisement is an eyewash,” deputy director-general, CSE, Chandra Bhushan, said.

The advertisement which said that chicken should be eaten as it has a lot of benefits, also went on to say that the Indian poultry industry has already adopted usage of prebiotics, probiotics, phytogenic additives, acidifiers and immuno stimulants as an alternative to antibiotics.

The deputy director general of CSE further said that the industry has ignored the results of its latest 2017 study, which show how poultry farms are breeding grounds of superbugs. “They are misguiding the nation and trying to dilute their contribution to the problem of antibiotic resistance. This will not help the industry in the long-term. They must act responsibly,” Mr Bhushan said.

Referring to the issue of maximum residue limits in the advertisement, Amit Khurana, a senior programme manager, food safety and toxins team, CSE, said that it is a “myopic” view as residue level in food is only one part of the problem.

“Resistant bacteria can also get transferred to handlers and consumers. Unabsorbed antibiotics as well as resistant bacteria in chicken droppings which enter into the environment are a big concern,” he said.