Mosadeq Sahebdin: “Stronger action required against antibiotic resistance”

The use of antibiotics by the animal farming industry poses a serious threat to human survival. How? Those antibiotics, routinely used on animals destined for human consumption, are also crucial to fight diseases. According to research, many strains of bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. Thus, we are exposing our bodies to drug resistance through the food we are consuming.  If not addressed, this alarming situation could lead to people once more dying from common ailments. It is the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming which has led to lower rates of morbidity from common illnesses. The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) was celebrated on March 15. WCRD was first observed on 15 March 1983, and has since become an important occasion for mobilising citizen action. News on Sunday speaks to Mosadeq Sahebdin, president of the Consumers Advocacy Platform, on this issue. What is CAP’s message on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day? In line with the theme of the WCD this year, which is ‘Antibiotic Resistance’, I would call upon consumers to remain alert as to the overuse of antibiotics. By choosing not to buy meat products with high levels of antibiotic residue, consumers can play an important role to face the worldwide threat posed by antibiotic resistance. I would also call upon decision-makers to take strong action against antibiotic resistance. If urgent action is not taken, we could face a future where common infections and minor injuries can once more kill people. Are you satisfied with control measures taken by the authorities so that consumers get quality goods? Let us limit ourselves, at this time, to food products. Unfortunately, food safety remains a major concern among consumer organisations. Focusing on antibiotic resistance, for example, it is a cause for concern that most food laboratories are not equipped to trace antibiotic residues in food. The government food lab is not accessible to the public, nor is it to consumer organisations who would like to trace antibiotics residues on random samples of meat products. On the other hand, pesticide residues on vegetables and fruit is another cause for concern. In spite of the Minister of Agro-industry’s statement in favour of the publication of tests effected by the Food and Agricultural Research Extension Institute, this information is still kept secret. Consumers’ right to information is being ignored. The whole question boils down to one issue, can the authorities reassure consumers that traceability is possible in case of food contamination? This is why we urgently advocate for the setting up of a Coordinating Agency on food safety, which would ensure coordination among the respective food control bodies. Coming back to the World Consumer Rights Day theme, why target the fast food chains? Consumer organisations worldwide are calling upon large restaurants to take strong commitments to ensure that the meat they use do not contain antibiotics used in human medicine. Consumers International (CI) is calling for global time-bound commitments to end the routine use of antibiotics across all meat and poultry supply chains. Multinational restaurant chains are in a strong position to drive a decrease in the agricultural use of antibiotics, faster than legislative change alone. With over 100,000 outlets around the world, McDonald’s, Subway and KFC have an influence on supply chains that could be used to great effect. Restaurant chains should source meat from animals that have been raised without the routine use of antibiotics which are used in human medicine. This must include all antibiotics listed by the World Health Organisation as critically and highly important. By eliminating the non essential use of antibiotics, and by improving standards in order to prevent the need for antibiotics arising, farmers can help to preserve the effectiveness of essential drugs for humans. Why focus on antibiotics residues? The overuse of antibiotics in animal rearing contributes to the increase of deaths consequent to antibiotic resistance. This is due to the propagation of resistant bacteria through animal dejections, or by the contact of staff with animals or through meat. Antibiotics that are used in human medicine should only be used in veterinary medicine to treat sick animals and, on rare occasions, for non-routine disease control, if disease has been identified in other close contact animals. Antibiotics that are used in human medicine should never be used for growth, feed efficiency, or for routine disease prevention. According to a CAP inquiry in Mauritius, most middle-level farmers use antibiotics in a systematic way as growth promoters, hence as a dope. This is mainly due to the ease of availability of antibiotics in pharmacies. Veterinarians can play an important role to curb the use of antibiotics in farming. Unfortunately, some vets seem to be more driven by material gain. Why is antibiotic resistance a problem? A growing number of infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and gonorrhoea are becoming harder to treat. As the number of resistant bacteria increase, the antibiotics used to treat these infections become less effective. Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. What was CAP’s action in the connection? In a correspondence addressed to four restaurant chains in Mauritius, the Consumer Advocacy Platform (CAP) has requested McDonald’s, Subway, Nando’s and KFC to commit themselves to stop serving customers with meat coming from animals having been systematically treated with antibiotics used in human medicine. CAP has requested the four food chains to reveal their action plan, if any, in view of limiting the use of antibiotics throughout their supply chain and to ensure independent auditing of their antibiotic use policy. So far, only KFC has responded to CAP solicitations. In addition, KFC affirms that regular audits are performed by its international Franchisor “YUM” throughout the process and supply chain. According to Mr Muslun, Avipro has a programme for the prevention of diseases. Antibiotics may be administered only to sick animals under veterinary control and available only on prescription. Furthermore, Avipro is equipped with a laboratory which conducts routine antibiotics residual tests attesting of the safe quality of the meat offered by KFC. Furthermore, we are calling on the government to adopt stronger regulations to control the use of antibiotics used in human medicine in animal farming. CAP seems to have remained silent on the recent concern raised over contaminated chocolates. Why? According to reports published in trustworthy consumer magazines in Europe, the concern were raised in relation with Mars chocolates bars produced in the Netherlands and mainly sold in Europe. Mauritius does not seem to be concerned by this batch of products suspected to contain small pieces of plastic. However, consumers need to be vigilant at all times and, above all, react.