Extending NARMS surveillance of antibiotic resistance in retail foods in California

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Project Summary/Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important issue for food safety and public health. The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Retail Food Surveillance in southern California started in 2018. This project will continue the surveillance in the most populated city of Los Angeles and expand the surveillance to rural areas in California. The project’s goal of improving food safety and protecting public health will be achieved by undertaking the following specific aims and activities. First, we will continue the NARMS retail food surveillance in the city of Los Angeles and expand the surveillance to two rural areas (Amador and Calaveras) in California. Second, we will monitor trends of AMR in different pathogens in retail meat and seafood specimens. We will collect retail meat (chicken, turkey, pork, beef) and seafood (shrimp, salmon, tilapia) specimens monthly from randomly selected grocery stores. We will test meat samples for Salmonella, Campylobacter (poultry only), E. coli and Enterococcus and seafood samples for Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Vibrio and other lactose positive bacteria according to NARMS’ Retail Food Protocols. Bacterial isolates will be sent to FDA monthly for antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) (WGS of meat isolates will be done by UC Davis). Third, we will conduct epidemiological studies on prevalence of AMR in retail food. We will collect store information and metadata for each retail meat and seafood specimen and determine key links between the prevalence of bacteria and their AMR (e.g. single or multiple drug resistance) and species, origins, types, and forms of retail food, claims of antibiotics use, and seasons etc. Fourth, based on results of this project, we will develop lay publications, outreach materials, abstracts and posters, and peer- reviewed publications. We will disseminate findings to agriculture and aquaculture communities, veterinarians, and the public via newsletters, extension workshops, presentations in meetings and conferences, and peer-reviewed journals. Fifth, we will participate in NARMS conference calls and working groups. By accomplishing these specific aims and activities, the project will characterize the trends of AMR in retail foods in the state of California. The project will enhance NARMS Retail Food Surveillance and increase public awareness of AMR in retail foods. The project will also strengthen collaborations among federal and state agencies and academia on research, detection, surveillance, and investigation of foodborne outbreaks associated with AMR in retail food. 1