What is AMR and how is Codex involved?

Antimicrobial resistance is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it. The evolution of resistant strains is a natural phenomenon that occurs when microorganisms replicate themselves erroneously or when resistant traits are exchanged between them. The use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs accelerates the emergence of drug-resistant strains. The emerging issues related to antimicrobial resistance has been the subject of several consultation. Codex texts provide guidance to Country to contain and minimize AMR, however much remains to be done to assist States while a Task Force on AMR has been established by the 39th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.