New Delhi: Nearly 43% of Indian shrimp exports rejected by the US, EU and Japan this year were linked to residues of banned antibiotics, prompting India’s drug regulator to demand strict enforcement of existing restrictions.The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has directed all states and union territories to strengthen inspection and monitoring of the use of chloramphenicol and nitrofurans, banned antibiotics in food-producing animals as their residues may violate international food safety standards.According to the regulator, violations were detected in more than 40 farms, with Andhra Pradesh accounting for 46% of the cases, followed by Odisha (24%), West Bengal (19%) and Gujarat (11%). The issue was flagged by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which reported frequent detection of banned drugs in export shipments and called for stronger monitoring of veterinary shops.CDSCO has asked states to provide details on how the ban is being enforced, the number of inspections conducted on veterinary drug shops and related establishments and what action has been taken against violators.The regulator has also directed states to ensure that these drugs are sold only through licensed channels for permitted purposes and said violations should be actioned under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.