Measurement / residue studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CHK-116 standard review
EU report 2023-2024: resistant bacteria from poultry still common
The European Union Summary Report on Antimicrobial Resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2023-2024
Overview
EFSA and ECDC. EFSA J 2026 · DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9887
Resistance to common antibiotics is frequent in Salmonella and Campylobacter, and ciprofloxacin resistance is rising in poultry-associated strains in humans.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: high
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
What are the AMR levels and trends in Salmonella, Campylobacter and indicator E. coli from humans, food-producing animals and meat in the EU?
- How was the study done?
EU harmonised AMR monitoring report
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
EU-wide monitoring (numbers not in abstract)
- What was actually found?
High proportions of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates from humans and animals resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides. Increasing ciprofloxacin resistance in human infections with a poultry-associated Salmonella serovar and in C. jejuni in more than half of reporting countries. Resistance differed greatly between countries. Very high third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Salmonella from imported broiler and turkey meat. Encouraging progress in reducing AMR in food-producing animals in several Member States over the past decade, partly plateauing.
- How large was the observed effect?
High proportions of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates from humans and animals resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides. Increasing ciprofloxacin resistance in human infections with a poultry-associated Salmonella serovar and in C. jejuni in more than half of reporting countries. Resistance differed greatly between countries. Very high third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Salmonella from imported broiler and turkey meat. Encouraging progress in reducing AMR in food-producing animals in several Member States over the past decade, partly plateauing.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Antibiotic resistance linked to poultry is a real, monitored problem in Europe, improving in some countries.
- What are the study's limitations?
Abstract only (read via Crossref); No PMID located
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports the resistance part of the claim for the EU, with country differences.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Directly EU data.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Does not quantify how many human infections come from eating chicken.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- EFSA and ECDC
- Journal
- EFSA J
- Year
- 2026
- Identifier
- DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9887
- Verification
- verified – Crossref record and abstract 2026-10-26 (no PMID found in Europe PMC)
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
What are the AMR levels and trends in Salmonella, Campylobacter and indicator E. coli from humans, food-producing animals and meat in the EU?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Measurement / residue study – EU harmonised AMR monitoring report
- Population
Isolates from humans, broilers, laying hens, turkeys, pigs, calves and meat
- Country
EU
- Period
2023-2024
- Sample size
EU-wide monitoring (numbers not in abstract)
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
as described in the abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Antimicrobial exposure in food animals (indirect)
- Comparator
Between countries and over time
- Endpoints
Resistance prevalence and trends
- Statistical methods
as reported in the abstract
5. Actual results
- Results
High proportions of Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates from humans and animals resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides. Increasing ciprofloxacin resistance in human infections with a poultry-associated Salmonella serovar and in C. jejuni in more than half of reporting countries. Resistance differed greatly between countries. Very high third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Salmonella from imported broiler and turkey meat. Encouraging progress in reducing AMR in food-producing animals in several Member States over the past decade, partly plateauing.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Sustained and strengthened AMR control efforts are needed.
6. Strengths
- Harmonised EU monitoring
- Trend indicators
7. Weaknesses
- Abstract only (read via Crossref)
- No PMID located
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- not assessable
- Rationale
Official surveillance report.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Confirms that poultry-associated resistant bacteria are found in human infections in the EU and that levels vary by country.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Newest EU-wide data on resistance in poultry-associated bacteria (updates I-CHK-04).
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
13. Overall methodological judgement
Resistance to common antibiotics is frequent in Salmonella and Campylobacter, and ciprofloxacin resistance is rising in poultry-associated strains in humans.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | high |
| Risk of bias | low |
| Precision of results | high |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |