Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance in Indian Retail Chicken: Key Findings from a 2025 Research Study
Published by World Science Awards | Research Publication Highlight
Introduction
Food safety is an important public health priority, particularly as chicken meat remains a widely consumed source of protein. However, contamination by foodborne bacteria and the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance can create serious risks for human health.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Foods in 2025 examines the prevalence of important foodborne pathogens in retail chicken meat and associated environments in India. The study brings together findings from 90 studies to provide a broader understanding of bacterial contamination and antimicrobial resistance concerns across the chicken value chain.
Understanding the Research Problem
Foodborne bacteria can enter the chicken supply chain at different stages, including production, slaughter, processing, handling, and retail distribution. Poor hygiene and cross-contamination can increase the risk of contaminated meat reaching consumers.
Another major concern is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when microorganisms develop the ability to survive medicines that would normally control or eliminate them. Resistant bacteria associated with food-producing animals can present challenges for both veterinary and human healthcare.
Understanding the prevalence of these pathogens and their resistance patterns is essential for improving food safety practices and protecting public health.
What Did the Researchers Investigate?
The researchers reviewed scientific studies published between January 2010 and December 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
The review examined seven important bacterial pathogens:
Salmonella spp.
Campylobacter spp.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Staphylococcus aureus
Listeria monocytogenes
Clostridium perfringens
Klebsiella pneumoniae
The researchers assessed pooled prevalence estimates and reviewed reported antimicrobial resistance patterns. They also conducted sensitivity analyses to evaluate whether influential studies substantially affected the prevalence estimates.
Key Findings: Foodborne Pathogens in Retail Chicken
The analysis reported the following pooled prevalence estimates across retail chicken meat and associated environments in India.
| Bacterial pathogen | Pooled prevalence |
|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 56% |
| Escherichia coli | 50% |
| Clostridium perfringens | 35% |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 21% |
| Salmonella spp. | 18% |
| Campylobacter spp. | 18% |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 13% |
These estimates represent pooled results from the reviewed studies; they should not be interpreted as the exact contamination rate of every chicken product or retail outlet in India.
The findings indicate that several bacterial pathogens are present within the chicken value chain, emphasizing the need for effective hygiene, contamination prevention, and food safety monitoring.
Antimicrobial Resistance: A Growing Concern
The study also identified concerning antimicrobial resistance patterns, particularly among Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates. The review reported resistance to medically important antimicrobials, including erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and colistin.
The researchers noted that differences in testing methods and insufficient data for some pathogen–antibiotic combinations prevented a comprehensive meta-analysis of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, the resistance findings were assessed through a systematic review.
These results highlight the importance of responsible antimicrobial use, stronger surveillance systems, and continued research into bacterial resistance in food production environments.
Why This Research Matters
1. Strengthening Food Safety
Improved sanitation, hygienic handling, appropriate refrigeration, and prevention of cross-contamination can help reduce food safety risks throughout the chicken supply chain.
2. Supporting Responsible Antimicrobial Use
Monitoring resistance patterns can help inform antimicrobial stewardship strategies and support efforts to preserve the effectiveness of important medicines.
3. Protecting Public Health
Coordinated action involving food producers, veterinarians, public health professionals, researchers, regulators, and consumers can contribute to safer food systems.
4. Encouraging a One Health Approach
Food safety and antimicrobial resistance connect human health, animal health, and the environment. A One Health approach encourages collaboration across these sectors to address shared risks.
Conclusion
The 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the prevalence of important foodborne bacterial pathogens in retail chicken meat and associated environments in India, alongside concerning antimicrobial resistance patterns. The findings emphasize the need for improved hygiene, responsible antimicrobial use, coordinated surveillance, and collaborative public health strategies.
Continued research and evidence-based interventions are essential to strengthen food safety, reduce contamination risks, and help preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines.
Publication Details
Article Title: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Important Foodborne Pathogens Isolated from Retail Chicken Meat and Associated Environments in India
Journal: Foods
Publication Year: 2025
Publisher: MDPI
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14040555
Read the Full Research Paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14040555
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Disclaimer: This article summarizes the findings of the cited scientific publication for general informational and educational purposes. Please consult the original research paper for detailed methods, statistical results, and limitations.
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