The increasing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs has become a critical global food safety issue. Every year, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leads to approximately 700,000 deaths worldwide, and if no urgent action is taken, this number could surge to 10 million annually by 2050. Resistant bacteria are now widespread in food sources, and if not controlled, they threaten both public health and global food security.
Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop resistance to the drugs designed to treat them. These resistant microbes can be found everywhere-from homes and hospitals to farms and natural environments. When they infect humans, animals, or plants, conventional treatments may become ineffective, posing serious risks to public health.
How AMR Affects Food Safety
Resistant bacteria can be found in:
* Livestock and poultry treated with antibiotics.
* Soil where crops are grown.
* Food processing and kitchen environments.
Foodborne illnesses caused by drug-resistant bacteria pose a serious risk, as they are harder to treat. If a person is infected with an antimicrobial-resistant pathogen, traditional treatments may fail, leading to longer illnesses, severe complications, and even death.
Alarming Findings in Vietnam
Vietnam is experiencing an increasing rate of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food, according to a 6-year study by the SATREPS project. The research, which involved six domestic research institutions with support from Japan, revealed alarming statistics:
High contamination rates in food
In Ho Chi Minh City, 45.5% of food samples contained ESBL-producing E. coli, a bacteria that can cause serious food poisoning. Contamination rates were highest in chicken (92.7%), followed by pork (34.8%), beef (34.3%), and fish/shrimp (29.3%). In Hanoi, 40% of retail market samples tested positive. 45-60% of wholesale market and 30-50% of supermarket samples across Vietnam were contaminated.
Salmonella resistance is also widespread, with high contamination rates in pork (69.7%), poultry (65.3%), beef (58.3%), shrimp (49%), and freshwater fish (36.6%).
Antibiotic Residues in Food
1.7% of food samples contained Ampicillin residues, and ESBL-producing E. coli in chicken showed 80.5% resistance to Ciprofloxacin and 50.8% to Fosfomycin, despite Fosfomycin being unapproved for agricultural use in Vietnam. These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations and monitoring to combat antimicrobial resistance in food.
Urgent Actions Needed
Vietnamese health and food safety authorities must strengthen monitoring and control of antibiotic use in food production. Experts recommend:
* Expanding national AMR surveillance systems
* Stricter regulations on antibiotic use in livestock
* Enhanced training for food safety officials
* Establishing a national database of resistant bacteria
How Consumers Can Help
* Use antibiotics only as prescribed
* Choose food from trusted, antibiotic-conscious producers
* Maintain good hygiene in food preparation
* Dispose of unused antibiotics properly
In conclusion, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food is not just a Vietnamese problem-it is a global crisis that requires urgent action. By making informed choices and supporting stricter regulations, we can help combat AMR and protect future generations.
Collect and compile
Dr. Vu Quynh Huong, Department of FSQM - Faculty of Food Science Technology
References
FAO (2020). Is antimicrobial resistance a food safety issue? https://www.fao.org/food-safety/news/news-details/en/c/1331603/
Thiên Lam (2025). Báo động tình trạng kháng kháng sinh trong thực phẩm. https://nhandan.vn/bao-dong-tinh-trang-khang-khang-sinh-trong-thuc-pham-post283072.html