Antimicrobial Resistance in Biofilms Formed During Secondary Food Processing of Meat and Meat Products

An evidence gap exists about the extent to which bacteria in biofilms contribute to the AMR burden of foodstuffs and the population in general. This project will sample biofilms from high risk environments from around a number of secondary meat processing facilities. These samples will undergo DNA extraction, metagenomic sequencing and qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) analyses to determine the AMR gene content of the samples. This, combined with published data, will be used to estimate the contribution of biofilms in meat processing plants to the AMR burden. This research will provide important insights into how fit for purpose existing AMR surveillance targets are, and also contribute to FSA's mission to ensure food is safe to eat. The evidence generated in this project will also help to elucidate the routes by which food can become contaminated with AMR genes and bacteria, which the FSA have a remit to study based on the UK's five-year national action plan on tackling antimicrobial resistance, 2019-24.