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 actions that government authorities, food producers and processors, animal and plant/crop health professionals, and consumers can do to address AMR. It highlights the interconnectedness (One Health) of human, animal, and environmental health in the context of AMR, explains the activities and goals of the ACT project, and stresses the importance of implementing Codex AMR texts.

Unsafe food causes an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne diseases and 420,000 deaths each year worldwide. The number of foodborne illnesses attributed to resistant organisms in food is increasing. 

The ACT project works globally and locally to help countries prevent and control foodborne AMR through the implementation of Codex AMR texts, with a particular focus on Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Cambodia, Colombia, Mongolia, Nepal, and Pakistan. Codex texts (international standards, guidelines, and codes of practice) outline the steps and policies that decision-makers should take to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) emphasizes the economic costs of antimicrobial resistance related not only to health care but also productivity. As estimated in the new publication “Foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR): an economic concern”, the economic value of a premature death due to non-Typhoidal Salmonella is USD 10 million.

Learn more
Download the ACT brochure
in English here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc6242en 
in Spanish here https://www.fao.org/documents/card/es/c/cc6242es

Download the publication “Foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR): an economic concern” is available here: https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc6014en

For more information about the ACT project, please visit:  https://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/projects/ongoing/project-10/en/

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AMRCodexTexts.