Superbug Risk in Food Imports, Health Experts Warn

Concerns on imported food that have been exposed to antibiotics during production have been aroused by the doctors in Australia. They are worried that the antimicrobial resistance in Australia will lessen and thus create a chance for an increase in the prevalence of superbugs. Superbugs have been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the three greatest threats to human health. Actually, superbugs have already infected parts of Europe which is brought home by a tourist that travelled to Asia for a cosmetic surgery. It is vital to ensure foods that have been exposed to antibiotics especially apples, were not consumed by Australian in large numbers. This is because Australian has much lower levels of antimicrobial resistance due to its unique position. If there is no regulations on imported food have been exposed to antibiotics, it may create the same problem as in the 1930s. Apples that are imported from New Zealand and in some parts of Asia are usually sprayed by antibiotics to prevent fire-blight. The antibiotics will then last on the skin of the apples for about up to six month and it then creates resistant bacteria which is superbugs.