Business · Philippines Bureau
Most chicken in Metro Manila carries antibiotic-resistant Salmonella
A government study has found that the majority of Salmonella bacteria detected in retail chicken meat across Metro Manila show resistance to multiple antibiotics, raising fresh concerns about foodborne illness risks in the capital region.
LSN Philippines ·
Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) identified Salmonella isolates in chicken meat samples collected from retail outlets throughout Metro Manila, with alarming antibiotic resistance patterns emerging from their analysis.
The study revealed that most Salmonella strains recovered from the poultry products demonstrated resistance to at least one class of antibiotics. More significantly, over three-quarters of the isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant, meaning they could withstand treatment with multiple antimicrobial agents simultaneously.
Foodborne illnesses transmitted through contaminated poultry remain a persistent public health challenge in the Philippines. The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the food supply chain complicates treatment options for infected patients and raises the risk of prolonged illness and complications.
The findings underscore the need for enhanced food safety measures in the poultry sector, including stricter hygiene protocols at production and retail levels, and judicious use of antibiotics in livestock farming. Health authorities have not yet released formal recommendations based on the study results.