FSA surveys look at AMR in salmon and meat
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published two reports on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and bacteria in salmon and meat.
An investigation has generated new data on the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes, E. coli and AMR levels in raw farming salmon, refrigerated and predecuous for sale in the United Kingdom.
A total of 307 salmon nets were taken from the main supermarkets between January and December 2024. The samples came from 12 approved establishments with Scotland and Norway as the main countries of origin.
Listeria Monocytogenes was found in five salmon nets at levels less than 20 units forming colonies per gram (CFU / G) and was not resistant to common antibiotics. Other Listeria species have been detected in 31 samples.
Possible human infections
Four listeria monocytogenic isolates came from the same retailer but sampled in several regions at different times with various numbers of lots and various processing codes.
Two isolates have shown genetic similarities with strains related to listeriosis cases: one was closely corresponding to an isolate of a human case from August 2023, and another was similar to the strains of four infections in 2020. Listeria infections are generally treatable with penicillin or ampicillin, but often lead to serious illnesses and sometimes death.
Additional data on the AMR resistance comes from the examination of WGS results from 15 strains of Listeria Monocytogenes previously detected in raw salmon samples by the UK Health Security Agency laboratories between 2015 and 2024. The 20 isolates transported genes that have potential resistance to the food industry.
E. coli was detected in 108 samples, but at low levels. Out of 102 isolates examined, four were resistant to a type of antibiotic, ampicillin.
No beta-staggered spectrum (AMP) / amp C E. coli, board resistant or E. COLI carbapermase producer was found.
No salmon sample had E. coli or Listeria monocytogenes resistant to clinically important antibiotics. This means that the probability that consumers will acquire the Listeria and the RAM of the British Crous Salmon nets are low.
Second study
Another study tested 300 chicken and 300 retail meat samples for turkey for the beta-lactamase ampc, beta-lactamase and carbapénemase enzyme producing E. coli.
Samples were taken from Ireland retailers from northern from January to December 2024.
The overall prevalence of E. Coli producer of BLSE and MINCE was 12% with 73 of the 600 positive samples. The prevalence was 9% of the chicken and 15% of the turkey.
From the 300 chicken samples, 13 were positive for E. coli esbl and 14 for ampc E. coli. Out of 300 turkey samples, 35 were positive for E. coli esbl and new for ampc E. coli.
No isolate was resistant to the latest antibiotics, including package and carbapenème. There was resistance to ampicillin and cefotaxime.
“The risk of acquiring infections linked to AMR by handling and consuming retail contaminated meats is very low with handling and cooking practices of appropriate foods,” said FSA.
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