Heavy antibiotic use in chickens threatens food safety and health: study
The research, published in Nature.com, examined antimicrobial use in 340 commercial chicken farms across seven districts and found that 93% had used antibiotics during production. Usage was significantly higher in broiler farms (78%) and Sonali farms (67.2%) compared to egg-laying farms (41.3%)
Meat-type chickens such as broilers and Sonali breeds are major drivers of antibiotic overuse in Bangladesh's poultry industry, a new study has found, raising concerns over food safety and the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
The research, published in Nature.com, examined antimicrobial use in 340 commercial chicken farms across seven districts and found that 93% had used antibiotics during production. Usage was significantly higher in broiler farms (78%) and Sonali farms (67.2%) compared to egg-laying farms (41.3%).
"Meat-type farms, particularly broilers, were three times more likely to show poor antimicrobial practices than layer farms," the study said. It noted that broiler farmers often administered multiple drug classes despite shorter production cycles.
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Critical drugs widely used
The study found extensive use of medicines classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials" for human health. Fluoroquinolones were used in nearly half the farms, followed by tetracyclines and sulfonamides. Colistin, a last-resort drug for humans, was still used in about 4% of farms despite WHO guidance to restrict it.
More than a third of farmers said they used antibiotics for disease prevention, while nearly half administered them to day-old chicks.
Only a third of farmers were aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and many relied on drug sellers or feed dealers rather than veterinarians for guidance. Just 22% consistently sought veterinary advice, while nearly a third never did.
The study also found that farmers with over a decade of experience were more likely to misuse antibiotics than newer farmers, suggesting outdated practices persist in the sector.
Food safety and public health risks
Researchers warned that indiscriminate use of antibiotics contributes to rising levels of multidrug-resistant bacteria in poultry, farm sewage, and even among chicken handlers, posing a risk to consumers and public health. Antimicrobial residues in meat products could also harm human health, the study said.
"Without urgent intervention, the misuse of antibiotics in meat-type chicken farms risks accelerating resistance and undermining both animal and human health," the study concluded.
