​​Carbapenem resistance in the EU food chain​

While there is no definitive evidence that these bacteria spread to humans through food, identical strains have been found in both animals and humans, suggesting possible transmission between them.

Enterobacterales (CPE) are bacteria that produce enzymes (carbapenemases) that inactivate carbapenem antibiotics. These antibiotics are used to treat serious infections in humans. Resistance to these drugs poses a significant public health risk, potentially leaving few effective treatment options.

Key findings from EFSA’s latest scientific opinion on the occurrence and spread of carbapenemase-producing CPE in the food chain in the EU/EFTA include:

• CPE have been detected in the food chain in 14 of the 30 EU/EFTA countries since 2011.
• The most frequently reported CPE are E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Salmonella, primarily originating from terrestrial food-producing animals (pigs, cattle, and to a lesser extent poultry, which are the animal species routinely monitored for antimicrobial resistance in the EU).
• The number of reported CPE cases has risen, particularly in pigs, cattle and poultry, with significant increases in 2021 and 2023 in a number of Member States.
• Ten of 30 EU/EFTA countries have established contingency plans for the control and investigation of these bacteria.

To prevent or minimise the occurrence and spread of CPE, EFSA recommends:

• Expanding monitoring activities to other food sources currently not monitored as well as to additional bacterial species (such as Klebsiella);
• Improving detection methods, conducting trace-back investigations and bacterial molecular typing to clarify transmission routes, including potential spread via workers and feed;
• Focusing research on the design of targeted studies to gain a better understanding of how these bacteria spread in the food chain.