Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlChemical

Researchers Explore How Pesticides Contribute to AMR

tractor spraying pesticides

Credit: Mirko Fabian via Unsplash

February 17, 2023

A recent article authored by scientists affiliated with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stresses the importance of conscientiously choosing pesticides for use on food crops to mitigate the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through a One Health lens, the review examines how certain bactericides, fungicides, and other pesticides contribute to the global public health threat of AMR, underlines knowledge gaps, and recommends future work.

The use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals can lead to AMR in human and plant pathogens. At present, human infections by bacteria with AMR traits cause over 700,000 deaths annually. If left unchecked, by 2050, it is estimated that AMR infections will be responsible for 10 million deaths each year.

The use of streptomycin, oxytetracycline, copper-based products, and some fungicides is correlated with increased resistance among plant pathogens to such agents. Additionally, the recent rise in the incidence of environmental triazole fungicide-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus—the cause of aspergillosis in humans—has caused concern, especially in Europe.

Through horizontal gene transfer, genes can be exchanged among a variety of bacteria in the plant production environment, including phytopathogens, soil bacteria, and zoonotic bacteria that are present in the production environment and in the food chain. Through mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer, co-resistance, cross-resistance, and gene up-regulation, resistance to one compound may confer resistance and multi-drug resistance to other compounds.

There exist significant gaps in knowledge related to the use of fungicides associated with antimicrobials in worldwide plant agriculture, and the effects of such uses on the evolution and selection of resistance in human and animal pathogens. Additional data, including surveillance and testing, are needed to complete comprehensive risk assessments and identify sustainable plant health practices that are less dependent upon pesticide use.

The report suggests the consideration of risk assessment of pesticides on AMR development and proper action regarding the management of antimicrobial-associated pesticides, as well as the use of integrated pest management practices to reduce reliance on pesticides. The authors stress that training users in the responsible application of antimicrobial-associated pesticides and the consequences of irresponsible use is a “critically high priority” in countries with developed economies and in low- and middle-income countries alike.

KEYWORDS: AMR pesticide residues study

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Meat/Poultry
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Food Prep/Handling
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Management
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Image of produce being washed on a conveyor belt in a facility

Science in Action: How Nanobubbles Are Advancing Food Safety Standards

FoodSafetyMattersFinal-900x550-(002).jpg

Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education

Students returning their lunch trays in a cafeteria

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • woman in hard hat and vest holding clipboard in warehouse next to pallet of bottled beverages

    Researchers Explore How Biases Affect Food Safety Management Systems, Suggest Supply Chain-Wide Culture Focus

    See More
  • default-produce-image.jpg

    Researchers explore solutions to food waste with USDA-funded project

    See More
  • multicolor 3d rendering of dna

    Researchers Use Publicly Available WGS Data to Investigate AMR in Salmonella

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • food-safety-making.jpg

    Food Safety: Making Foods Safe and Free From Pathogens

  • Food-Forensics-3D.jpg

    Food Forensics Handbook Practice, Instrumentation, Case Studies

  • food safety.jpg

    Food Safety Contaminants and Risk Assessment

See More Products

Related Directories

  • ITEC Frontmatec Hygiene

    ITEC has been a strong name in the food industry for over 25 years and is a Frontmatec brand for innovative hygiene equipment and systems. We have a worldwide network of partners to support customers at home and abroad, helping them to compete in global markets. High quality, pragmatism and reliability are the basis for long-term partnerships and sustainable growth.
  • Parker Hannifin Corp.

    Parker is the industry leader in compressed air treatment, filtration and onsite gas generation technology. Our systems are critical to the food and beverage industry, and have a trusted reputation for reliability. From compressed air filters to nitrogen generators, we have the solution to protect your equipment and maximize uptime.
  • Eagle Protect Pbc

    Eagle Protect supplies the world’s only disposable gloves tested against listeria, toxic chemicals, mold, and more. Eagle’s proprietary Delta Zero program ensures a range of Eagle gloves adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness, durability and are free of contamination. Eagle Protect is a disposable glove and clothing specialist supplying durable, tactile and chemical resistant disposable gloves and clothing in a range of colors, textures and thicknesses.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing