Medicine-resistant bacteria getting into the food chain

Bacteria that are resistant to medicines are being passed into humans from the food chain, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has warned.

A report published yesterday by the FSAI has called on vets to use antimicrobial agents “prudently” amid fears that misuse of such medicines, such as antibiotics, has led to a resistance to treatment in animals that in turn is spreading to humans through the food chain.

The FSAI said while antimicrobial agents have revolutionised the treatment of microbial infections, their use and misuse have resulted in the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — where antimicrobial agents are no longer effective.

The report’s authors said the rise in AMR is now recognised worldwide as one of the greatest potential threats to human and animal health, with possible serious consequences for public health, animal welfare, and the agri-food sectors.

The European Centre for Disease Control estimates that antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are responsible for 25,000 deaths in the EU per year, with associated healthcare costs and productivity losses of €1.5bn.

On foot of its report, FSAI’s scientific committee has now recommended a series of control strategies along the food chain to reduce the risk of transmission of AMR, as part of an urgent cross-sectoral response across veterinary, human, and environmental areas.

FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne said AMR must be viewed as a shared challenge at each stage in the food chain. “Continuing emphasis on good agricultural practice, good hygiene practice, and robust food safety management systems are fundamental, as these are key safeguards against transfer of bacteria including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through the food chain,” she said.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently as part of a cross-sector approach, otherwise levels of AMR will continue to rise and it will become increasingly difficult and expensive to control and treat infections in medical care and more difficult to maintain animal health and welfare.”

The FSAI report says that although it is unclear how much of a contribution the use of antimicrobial agents in animals makes to the public health problem of AMR in humans, action is needed in the animal sector to combat the growing problem of AMR in humans and animals.

The report recommends improved measures on farms to prevent infection; and issues a reminder that if antimicrobial treatment is required it be applied prudently.

It also recommends that systems to improve surveillance of antimicrobial use in animals and of AMR along the food chain should be further developed.