Antimicrobial Resistance

Codex Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance
(Host Government - Republic of Korea)

The Codex Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance is responsible for developing guidance on methodology and processes for risk assessment and its application to the antimicrobials used in human and veterinary medicine as provided by FAO/WHO through JEMRA.

The task force will develop science based guidance, taking full account of its risk analysis principles and the work and standards of other relevant international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

This guidance will assess the human health risks associated with the presence and transmission of antimicrobial resistant micro-organisms and antimicrobial resistance genes in food and animal feed, including aquaculture. Appropriate risk management advice will also be developed.

Existing Codex Standards

Standards relating to antimicrobial resistance * that have been endorsed and adopted into the international food code:

• Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance
• Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assesment
• Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance

For a full list of standards approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, please consult its Official List of Standards.

Outcomes from the 34^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

The 34^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance at Step 8.

Last meeting

The 4^th Session of the Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance was held in Korea from 18-22 October 2010.

The Task Force agreed to forward the Proposed Draft Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance to the 34^th Session of the Commission for adoption at step 8.

Next Meeting

The Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance has finished the schedule of work and will be abolished at the 34^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.