Mysore/Mysuru: A two-day National workshop on “Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in Food Chain” was held at the Department of Microbiology and Fermentation Technology, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR- CFTRI) on Nov. 25 and 26.

This workshop was sponsored by Department of Health Research, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, under its Human Resource Development programme.

The workshop was virtually inaugurated by Dr. Abdul Gaffur Professor, Apollo Hospital & Coordinator – AMR, Chennai Declaration in the presence of Dr. M.N. Sumana, Professor and former Head of Microbiology Department, JSS Hospital and Medical College, Mysuru, Dr. V.S. Chauhan, Chief Scientist and Head, Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, CFTRI and Dr. Prakash M. Halami, Organising Secretary and Head of MFT Department, CSIR-CFTRI.

Dr. Abdul Gaffur, in his inaugural address, stressed on judicious use of antibiotics and proper stewardship programme in combating anti-microbial resistance in food chain.

Chennai Declaration

In his subsequent lecture, he highlighted the importance of Chennai Declaration, National action plan enforcement by Government of India for combating anti-microbial research and its implementation in the country.

The major threat caused by colistin resistance in food chain was seriously reviewed by Dr. Gaffur through his own scientific evidences and he advised the rational usage of antibiotics in veterinary, fishery and poultry field.

Dr. Sumana highlighted the importance of general awareness to combat the spread of anti-microbial resistance among public. She spoke about the initiative taken by her research group in combating anti-microbial resistance through molecular studies and one health approach.

Dr. I Karunasagar, Retired FAO Expert, spoke about antimicrobial reservoir in fishery involvement.

Dr. Anand Kumar, Professor and Head, Veterinary Microbiology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, gave an overview about development of anti-microbial resistance in food chain through animal feed.

Panel discussion

A panel discussion was organised in the topic to deliberate how AMR can be stopped especially with reference to its growing menace in food chain.

The experts from different parts of country joined online to participate in panel discussion. Views by each panellist were shared on the topic and the questions raised by the participants were discussed.

Practical session was organised to give hands-on experience to all the participants. In addition, demonstration on simpler AMR evaluation in bacteria, anti-microbial residue analysis was also organised during the two-day workshop.

In the poster presentation session, participants had opportunity to present their research findings. Out of 35 registered participants, 25 were physically present during the workshop which coincided with WHO’s programme on World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

Certificates and prizes were distributed to poster presenters.