- By Akansha Pandey
- Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In the Sitapur district, antibiotics are being administered to livestock and poultry on a massive scale. These drugs are being widely used in local dairies, poultry farms and fisheries by operators seeking to maximise profits with minimal effort.
These antibiotics reach the human body through several pathways: contaminated agricultural products, direct contact with treated animals, or through the consumption of food items like milk, eggs, meat and fish. Furthermore, these chemicals leach into the environment, integrating into the local ecosystem. The rampant and unregulated use of these drugs across the district is creating a major health crisis, as it leads to antibiotic resistance, preventing common infections from healing quickly and posing a severe challenge to public health.
From "White Meat" To Industrial Product
According to a report by News 18, Shirjeel Ahmed Siddiqui, a researcher at AMU’s Department of Agricultural Microbiology, chicken was once celebrated as a "clean" source of white meat—light, easily digestible and rich in protein. However, as the poultry industry became industrialised to meet soaring demand, production methods changed drastically. To ensure rapid growth, birds are now fed various supplements and chemical-laden feed that were never part of traditional farming.
A study by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) previously confirmed the presence of antibiotic residues in chicken samples. It highlighted that farm owners use these drugs not just for disease prevention, but as growth promoters to increase the birds' weight quickly.
Expert Warnings And Health Risks
Dr Rajesh Tripathi, Additional Chief Veterinary Officer, has warned against administering medicines to animals without a doctor's consultation. He emphasised that using antibiotics solely to increase the weight of birds and livestock is unethical and dangerous, as the side effects directly impact human health.
Furthermore, this issue extends beyond meat. Antibiotics and excessive fertilizers are being overused in agriculture and fisheries. Farmers and fish breeders often resort to these chemicals to ensure faster harvests and better-looking yields, unknowingly contributing to life-threatening diseases in consumers.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr MP Singh Chandel noted that while they are working to raise awareness, the unnecessary use of antibiotics remains a major concern. He urged those in the poultry and fishery sectors to stop the reckless use of these drugs, citing the severe long-term impact on the human body.