Codex Alimentarius Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance Are Incompatible with Available...

Area of Science:

• Food safety
• Microbiology
• Risk assessment

Background:

• Foodborne antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) microorganisms pose a global food safety threat.
• Antimicrobial drug use (AMU) in livestock is linked to increased human AMR infections via food products.
• Divergent national AMU policies create potential for international trade disputes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of current Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines for assessing AMR risk equivalence between regions with different AMU policies.
• To demonstrate the challenges in implementing detailed risk assessments using the AMR Codex framework, using Salmonella in beef as a case study.
• To highlight the need for more flexible risk assessment approaches adaptable to available data for international trade policy.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of key regional parameters in the United States and European Union regarding AMR Salmonella exposure from beef consumption.
• Examination of data availability for regional variables required by the AMR Codex guidelines.
• Assessment of the linkage between livestock AMU and human AMR infections in the studied regions.

Main Results:

• Neither the US nor the EU fully captures data needed for detailed AMR risk assessments as outlined by the AMR Codex.
• Current data limitations prevent adequate linkage of livestock AMU to human AMR infections.
• The AMR Codex guidelines are currently aspirational and not practical for generating comparable regional risk estimates.

Conclusions:

• Existing AMR Codex guidelines are not currently viable for assessing the impact of livestock AMU reductions on human health risks.
• There is a need for flexible risk assessment guidelines that utilize available data and directly link livestock AMU to human health outcomes.
• Revised guidelines are essential for establishing regional risk equivalence and informing international trade policy.