During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), taking place from 18 to 24 November under the theme “Act now: protect our present, secure our future”, it is worth remembering the value placed in Codex AMR texts by global leaders, and the prominence they have been given in high-level declarations and calls to action on addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

When it comes to foodborne AMR, the United Nations General Assembly has called on the international community to use and implement Codex AMR texts as the primary means by which to help tackle what has been called the “silent pandemic”. These three texts collectively represent comprehensive guidance on what competent authorities need to aim to achieve to tackle foodborne AMR, and how they can achieve it. The texts are the Code of practice to minimize and contain foodborne antimicrobial resistance (CXC 61-2005), the Guidelines for risk analysis of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (CXG 77-2011), and the Guidelines on integrated monitoring and surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (CXG 94-2021).

In addition, the FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project is helping six countries to reduce antimicrobial use in food production through implementation of the Codex AMR texts by means of a three-pillar approach to improve surveillance, governance and awareness of foodborne AMR. The experiences, successes and lessons learned from the ACT project, as well as the tools developed as part of the Project, can all help inform other countries on how Codex AMR texts can be implemented.

Find out more about the role Codex AMR texts are playing in the international efforts to address AMR, in the Codex in Action publication:

Codex texts provide a pathway for global action on foodborne AMR

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The ACT project
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week