Antimicrobial Residues and Food Safety: A Public Health Crisis of Concern in Tanzania. A Review.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) along the food supply chain is a global challenge affecting both developed and developing countries. Globally, antimicrobial residues have been a growing problem of both food safety and public health concern. The irrational use of antimicrobial agents in the food industry significantly contributes to antimicrobial residues in the food supply chain and ultimately leading to AMR. Aim: This review aims to highlight the intertwined connection of antimicrobial residues in food products and the burden of AMR globally, the situation in Tanzania, and the way forward through informed interventions in the area of food safety and security. Methodology: A literature search was done in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases with a predefined search strategy. A literature review of published articles between 2005 and 2023 on antimicrobial residues, AMR, antimicrobial uses in livestock production, and food safety, especially from Tanzania, was considered. Results: Antimicrobial residues in commercial livestock production are a big problem in Tanzania. Antimicrobial-resistant organisms and harmful levels of antimicrobial residues have been reported in beef (35%-71.1%), milk (1.7%-42.7%), eggs (100%), chicken meat (50%-90.5%), and fish samples obtained from formal and informal settings in Tanzania, while the key concern in crop food products being the exposure to insecticides. Improper treatment documentation, nonadherence to the withdrawal period, and limited awareness among farmers are the factors to irrational and indiscriminate uses of antimicrobials that fuel AMR in Tanzania. Conclusion: Antimicrobial residues in food products is a serious growing public health problem globally and in Tanzania of food safety concern. Multidisciplinary close monitoring and routine evaluation of the antimicrobial residues are imperative to ensure food safety. Awareness to the public, implementation of integrated surveillance programs, and enforcement of legislations by respective government organs in collaboration with stakeholders might be both cost and time-effective approaches to address the issue.