Silent Contaminants: Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Food Systems

Anatimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly escalating global health crisis, undermining the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and posing a significant threat to food security, sustainable agriculture, and public health. In 2019, drug-resistant bacterial infections accounted for an estimated 1.27 million deaths worldwide and are expected to cause 10-fold more deaths by 2030. Framed within the One Health approach, this review critically examines the role of food systems in the emergence, selection, and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs) across animal, plant, and aquatic sectors. Through bibliometric network analysis (2015-2025), we highlight research trends and thematic clusters that shape current understanding of AMR in the food chain. Key pathways include antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture, contamination of crops via irrigation and fertilization, and post-harvest practices that sustain ARB persistence. Mechanistic insights into AMR are discussed, including enzymatic degradation (e.g., blaTEM), target modification, efflux pumps, and mobile genetic elements that mediate horizontal gene transfer. The review also evaluates control strategies, regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU legislation on AMR monitoring), integrated surveillance systems (e.g., EFSA-ECDC reports, WHO GLASS), and cross-sectoral approaches such as One Health. Emphasis is placed on public health interventions that limit exposure and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens across the food chain, underscoring the need for coordinated, multisectoral action that positions food safety as a core pillar of global health resilience.