Microbial antibiotic resistance relating to food safety

Citation

(2000), "Microbial antibiotic resistance relating to food safety", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 30 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2000.01730bab.003

Microbial antibiotic resistance relating to food safety

Microbial antibiotic resistance relating to food safety

A report drawing attention to the risk to public health from microbial antibiotic resistance in relation to the food chain has recently been published. The report makes detailed recommendations on a wide range of issues in relation to the use of antibiotics in the rearing of animals on farms. There has been widespread debate over the years about the transfer of resistant bacteria through the food chain from animals to man. The report reinforces the view that there is a need to ensure that antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines are used responsibly and prudently in both veterinary and human medicine. The EU has recognised the need to control those antibiotics used as growth promoters in food animals which are closely related to those used in human medicine. Avoparcin, bacitracin zinc, spiramycin, tylosin phosphate and virginia mycin have already been banned. The problem of antibiotic resistance can only begin to be effectively tackled with the full co-operation of the veterinary and medical professions and the pharmaceutical and food industries in the UK and abroad. Copies of the report are available from the Stationery Office. The full report costs £27.50 (ISBN 0 11 322283 1) and a synopsis £7.50 (ISBN 0 11 322295 5).