A recent survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has laid the groundwork for UK officials to monitor antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria from lamb and turkey meat nationwide. The study surveilled Escherichia coli and Campylobacter from lamb and turkey meats on retail sale in the UK between October 2020 and February 2021. Previous surveys on AMR in UK retail meats focused on beef, chicken, and pork; the recent study was conducted to fill the evidence gap for lamb and turkey.
Antimicrobial drugs are prescribed to both humans and animals to treat and prevent bacterial infections. AMR in bacteria is cause for concern because it can make foodborne illness difficult to treat.