Six new factsheets were recently published to promote how the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR (ACT)” project countries work to address foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). “Managing AMR poses a significant challenge for the world. One way AMR can spread to humans is through food, known as foodborne AMR. Unfortunately, every day, unsafe food causes illnesses and deaths. We work globally and locally to address foodborne AMR through the implementation of Codex AMR texts, and these factsheets provide a snapshot [...]

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2023, 18 - 24 November, a global initiative to raise awareness and encourage action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, is starting today.  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment, and it affects everyone. The theme for WAAW 2023, maintained from 2022 is: "Preventing antimicrobial resistance together". The theme emphasizes the need for a One Health approach involving multiple sectors to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials. Addressing AMR requires collective efforts [...]

The representatives from the Plurinational State of Bolivia discussed the next steps in addressing foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as part of the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project. Thirty-five people from different government departments, associations, the private sector and academia met on 23-25 October 2023 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. “This workshop allowed us to reach commitments among different stakeholders. The participants agreed to establish a sectoral committee for AMR, a laboratory network for AMR in animal health, [...]

FAO Pakistan, in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Commissioner Office of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, conducted a three-day workshop on Codex standards and foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). More than 40 participants from federal and provincial livestock departments, food authorities and other relevant departmentsattended thistraining of trainerson 23-25 October 2023 in Islamabad. This was the first-ever workshop to raise awareness among field veterinarians and food authorities on Codex and AMR.    “Understanding Codex standardsis criticalfor well-being and achieving the Sustainable Development [...]

FAO Pakistan hosted a roadmap workshop to discuss priorities in addressing foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 11 September 2023. The event took place under the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project, with more than 60 participants from Pakistan, the ACT project coordinators in Cambodia and Nepal, and the regional coordinator for Asia. “This mission allowed all of those involved in the project to get a clear understanding of the current antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial [...]

Nepal assessed the ability to test for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food samples by its central food safety laboratory as part of the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project. Related laboratory visits, workshops and stakeholder meetings took place in Katmandu from 19 to 21 September 2023. “This assessment and training helped us to understand the areas we need to improve to strengthen the AMR surveillance in the food sector", saidMatina Joshi Vaidya, Director-General of the Department of [...]

World Food Day 2023 is celebrated under the theme "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind". FAO is hosting a week-long series of events from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October welcoming world leaders, experts, changemakers, youth and indigenous activists to spark global action for water, climate action and sustainable agrifood systems. Water is essential for life and it is, indeed, food. But it is also essential in food production and processing. Ensuring that water coming into contact [...]

More than 450 participants in person and online attended the 3rd Global Conference on Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), hosted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of the Republic of Korea on 12 and 13 September 2023 in Seoul. Stakeholders from the food industry, academia and research, regulatory authorities, and international organizations discussed One Health approaches to tackle foodborne AMR. “This conference is an excellent opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in tackling foodborne AMR”, said Dr Yu-Kyoung [...]

The “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project published a brochure to help individuals and organizations committed to tackling foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) play their role. The brochure is available in English and Spanish. “We believe this brochure provides valuable insights on how different stakeholders can contribute to managing foodborne AMR,” said Myoengsin Choi, FAO Food Safety Officer and ACT Project Coordinator. Considering the Codex AMR texts and the need for an “all hands on deck” approach, the publication outlines [...]

As part of the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT)” project, Mongolia is actively enhancing its collaboration efforts to combat foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A delegation from the FAO visited the country on 12-14 June 2023 to gather information on how the project is advancing.   “According to some global studies, the potential economic cost of antimicrobial resistance is comparable to the global financial shocks of 2008-2009. I commend the action of the Government of Mongolia in containing foodborne [...]