Furazolidone is primarily used as an antimicrobial agent in veterinary and aquaculture settings. It is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and protozoa, making it useful in treating gastrointestinal infections in animals. It has been commonly administered in poultry, swine, and fish farming to control diseases such as salmonellosis, coccidiosis, and enteritis. Due to its ability to inhibit microbial growth by interfering with bacterial enzyme systems and nucleic acid synthesis, it has been included in feed formulations to promote growth and prevent disease outbreaks. However, its use in food-producing animals has been banned or restricted in many countries, including the United States and the European Union, because of concerns over residual toxicity and potential carcinogenicity in humans. As a result, furazolidone is now mostly limited to non-food animals or used in controlled environments where human exposure is minimized.