Industry perspective on anti-microbial resistance

The role of the food processing industry in combating Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) throughout the supply chain is immensely important. The demand to increase the food production needed to cater to the increasing population and at the same time to ensure the safety of the food product is the biggest challenge that is being faced. The industry is taking multi-sectoral steps to reduce the AMR throughout the value chain and address multiple challenges such as lack of widespread awareness of farmers towards AMR, to the high cost of production of new antibiotics. The industry is reviewing its manufacturing processes and training its supply chain through collaboration with veterinary colleges to combat AMR and to ensure rational use of antibiotics in the food supply chain. Along with industry initiatives, the industry believes that multi-sectorial cooperation through government – academia-industry partnership is required to develop the national level roadmap. Also, antimicrobial stewardship programs, the alternates to antibiotics such as probiotics, and selective breeding with adequate scale to uphold the potential to combat AMR.