New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer by advancing an antibiotic-free production model that aligns with global public health priorities while supporting safer food production and stronger export potential for Sri Lanka.
New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer through science
As demand for chicken continues to grow across the country, concerns over the widespread use of antibiotics in commercial poultry farming have intensified. While antibiotics remain essential for treating animal diseases when necessary, their routine use to promote faster growth or compensate for poor farm management has become a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance, one of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Sri Lanka consumes approximately 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually, according to the Department of Animal Production and Health. Rising protein consumption and the expansion of the fast-food industry have steadily increased demand, placing greater pressure on poultry producers to improve efficiency while maintaining food safety standards.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest threats to public health. Resistant bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites reduce the effectiveness of medicines that have saved millions of lives, making once-treatable infections increasingly difficult to cure.
WHO estimates that resistant bacterial infections directly caused around 1.27 million deaths in 2019, while antimicrobial resistance contributed to nearly 4.95 million deaths worldwide. Without stronger action, the organisation projects AMR could claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of death.
The livestock industry plays a significant role in this global challenge. Antibiotics administered to food-producing animals can contribute to the development of resistant bacteria, which may spread through food products, water systems, soil and the wider environment.
Research conducted in Sri Lanka reflects these concerns. A study published in the Sri Lanka Veterinary Journal examining commercial poultry farms in the Kurunegala District found that 98 percent of surveyed farms used at least one antimicrobial drug. Frequently used antibiotics included enrofloxacin, amoxicillin and tetracycline.
Laboratory analysis also revealed high resistance levels among bacteria collected from poultry farms, with 81.8 percent showing resistance to tetracycline and 31.8 percent resistant to fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin. These findings are particularly significant because ciprofloxacin remains a critically important antibiotic in human medicine.
Against this backdrop, New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer through a production philosophy centred on antibiotic-free poultry rather than routine antimicrobial use.
The company’s Harithahari range is produced under strict biosecurity protocols that minimise disease risks without relying on antibiotics for growth promotion. Instead, New Anthoney’s focuses on preventive farm management, hygiene, animal welfare and controlled production systems that reduce the need for antimicrobial interventions.
Harithahari, meaning “green” in Sinhala, is positioned as a premium chicken product for consumers seeking healthier and more responsibly produced food. The company’s approach extends beyond product marketing by embedding antibiotic-free production throughout its farming operations.
To strengthen scientific credibility, New Anthoney’s entered into a memorandum of understanding with the University of Peradeniya, providing independent academic support for verifying its antibiotic-free production claims. This collaboration reinforces the company’s commitment to evidence-based food safety practices while offering consumers greater confidence in product quality.
The strategy also supports the company’s long-term export ambitions. International markets, particularly in the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, are increasingly tightening regulations surrounding antibiotic use in livestock production. Meeting these standards from the outset enables New Anthoney’s to compete more effectively in premium export markets without requiring major operational changes later.
Beyond production, the company has invested in employee education and industry awareness programmes to promote responsible antimicrobial use. Staff training at its Hanwella facilities focuses on understanding antimicrobial resistance, maintaining strict biosecurity protocols and recognising the importance of antibiotic-free production throughout every stage of the poultry supply chain.
New Anthoney’s has also engaged food industry stakeholders and consumers to highlight the broader public health implications of responsible antibiotic use. The company’s message is that antibiotics remain essential medicines whose effectiveness must be preserved through responsible practices in both healthcare and agriculture.
Sri Lanka adopted a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2017 in line with the WHO’s Global Action Plan. While implementation across the agricultural sector continues to evolve, industry-led initiatives are increasingly recognised as critical to reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use and strengthening food safety standards.
By investing in antibiotic-free poultry production backed by scientific partnerships and internationally recognised quality systems, New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer while positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable poultry farming. As consumer expectations, export requirements and public health priorities continue to converge, the company’s approach offers a practical example of how responsible food production can support both commercial success and long-term public health outcomes.