EFSA new scientific opinion on AMR: the role played by the environment

EFSA has recently published a scientific opinion about the role of food‐producing environments in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in EU plant‐based food production, terrestrial animals and aquaculture.  

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most challenging aspects of food safety, as antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) food contamination could be very dangerous to people’s health. The panel identified various sources of transmission, e.g. fertilizers of fecal origin, irrigation and surface water for plant‐based food and water for aquaculture. Regarding terrestrial animal production, potential sources are: feed, humans, water, air/dust, soil, wildlife, rodents, arthropods and equipment. The panel identified also the most concerning ARB like cephalosporins-resistant Salmonella or methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus. These highest priority bacteria were identified in different sources, at primary and post‐harvest levels, particularly feces/manure, soil and water.  

The panel suggests to reduce the occurrence of fecal microbial contamination and to minimize the persistence of ARB within animal production facilities to decrease the possibility of food ARB contamination.  

The panel ends with a recommendation to implement good hygiene practices, biosecurity and food safety management systems, and to develop epidemiological studies on AMR to deploy AMR-specific intervention in the future.    


Source:  

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6651