Recently, samples of raw food lifted across Chennai have tested positive for colistin-resistant bacteria, conforming to a global trend. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are hiding in food and not just meat. This includes everything from tomatoes to apples. Of the samples tested in the study, about 46.4% were found to harbour the highly-resistant bacteria. Eating such contaminated food every day can cause resistant bacteria to invade the human gut. This will render the host resistant to the powerful antibiotic Colistin in case of an infection.
Colistin is called ‘holy water’ in the practice of medicine. It is often the last resort for patients who are extremely sick. Resistance to colistin is already an issue in clinical practice and there are established food origins in India.
Tips from Heart Care Foundation of India
- Practice rational use of drugs antibiotics
- Use when needed
- Avoid broad spectrum antibiotics without appropriate diagnosis
- Prevent infections with the use of vaccination and by improving basic hygiene like hand hygiene and infection control techniques and sanitation in healthcare as well as in the community
- Food industry must stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.
