Summary of the Twenty Fifth meeting 24 January 2024

Advisory committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) Antimicrobial Resistant Working Group

Antimicrobial resistance and the risks associated with raw pet food.

1. Dr Genever Morgan, from the University of Liverpool, gave a presentation on the findings of her research which covered the presence of AMR E. coli in raw and non-raw foods for dogs, carriage of AMR E. coli in the faeces of dogs fed raw and non-raw diets and the presence of Salmonella in dried natural dogs treats. The presentation generated discussions amongst the AMR Working Group members around controls during the manufacture of raw pet food, specific handling and storage details provided on the label of these raw meat products and guidance/advice on safe handling and storage of raw pet food by pet owners.

Use of AMR terminology used in FSA reports.

2. An issue has arisen concerning the use of AMR terminology in FSA research and survey reports. At the April 2023 meeting of the AMR working group John Threlfall, Roberto La Ragione, Chris Teale and Rohini Manuel were tasked to defining specific AMR-related terms including their applicability in different situations and to draft a statement for inclusion at the start of FSA AMR-related survey and research reports which acknowledges some of the issues around interpretation of terms.

3. At the September 2023 meeting, Professor John Threlfall presented a discussion paper on AMR terminology. Following the comments received by members and Gunnar Kahlmeter’s presentation on antimicrobial testing and susceptibility, a revised AMR terminology discussion paper was presented by John at the January 2024 meeting. The revised AMR terminology paper is to be circulated for final review by the members of the AMR working group. The finalised AMR terminology papers will be circulated to external stakeholders for information only.

Approach to assessing detriment of AMR genes in food risk assessments.

4. Currently no framework has been developed in FSA risk assessments for assessing the severity of detriment resulting from exposure to microorganisms carrying specific AMR genes or combinations of genes or to phenotypic findings of resistance. An approach to assessing AMR detriment was proposed by Dr Paul Cook and discussed at the September 2023 meeting which the members felt had potential but needed further refinement. Paul has since revised and added to the AMR detriment framework paper which he represented to members in the January 2024 meeting.

Secretariat
September 2024