The application of antimicrobials in aquaculture primarily aims to prevent and treat bacterial infections in fish, but their inappropriate use may result in the emergence of zoonotic antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the subsequent transmission of resistant strains to humans via food consumption. The aquatic environment serves as a potential reservoir for resistant bacteria, providing an ideal breeding ground for development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The mutual inter-connection of intensive fish-farming systems with terrestrial environments, the food processing industry and human population creates pathways for the transmission of resistant bacteria, exacerbating the problem further. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the most effective and available risk mitigation strategies to tackle AMR in aquaculture, based on the One Health (OH) concept. The stringent antimicrobial use guidelines, promoting disease control methods like enhanced farm biosecurity measures and vaccinations, alternatives to antibiotics (ABs) (prebiotics, probiotics, immunostimulants, essential oils (EOs), peptides and phage therapy), feeding practices, genetics, monitoring water quality, and improving wastewater treatment, rather than applying excessive use of antimicrobials, can effectively prevent the development of AMR and release of resistant bacteria into the environment and food. The contribution of the environment to AMR development traditionally receives less attention, and, therefore, environmental aspects should be included more prominently in OH efforts to predict, detect and prevent the risks to health. This is of particular importance for low and middle-income countries with a lack of integration of the national AMR action plans (NAPs) with the aquaculture-producing environment. Integrated control of AMR in fisheries based on the OH approach can contribute to substantial decrease in resistance, and such is the case in Asia, where in aquaculture, the percentage of antimicrobial compounds with resistance exceeding 50% (P50) decreased from 52% to 22% within the period of the previous two decades.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 57 samples of canned tuna, 25 samples of canned sardines, and 16 samples of canned smoked sprouts, collected from supermarkets in Serbia. Heavy metal levels (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, iron, copper, and zinc) were determined using an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. Sixteen analysed PAHs were determined using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. The trace elements in canned fish were in the range (mg kg⁻¹) of 0.01–0.28 for lead, 0.003–0.08 for cadmium, 0.007–0.64 for mercury, 0.17–3.73 for arsenic, 3.88–52.2 for iron, 0.2–5.95 for copper, and 1.35–44.5 for zinc. Total PAH levels reached 17.67 µg kg⁻¹ in canned tuna and 15.12 µg kg⁻¹ in sardines, whereas in smoked sprouts it amounted to 57.19 µg kg⁻¹. Some of the samples contained cadmium, arsenic, copper, and benzo(a)pyrene above the limits as set by the European and Serbian legislation.

To investigate the microbiological conditions of hunted wild boar carcasses and factors that contribute to the microbial carcass contamination, skin and carcass meat swab samples from 210 hunted wild boars were collected from freshly shot animals. The mean aerobic colony counts (ACCs) and Enterobacteriaceae counts on the skin were 5.2 and 3.6 log₁₀ CFU/cm², with 1.4% of animals’ skin tested positive for Salmonella spp. Slightly higher mean ACC and Enterobacteriaceae counts of 5.4 and 3.8 log₁₀ CFU/cm² were obtained from carcass meat with Salmonella spp. prevalence of 1.9%. Inadequate hygiene practices in handling and dressing wild boar carcasses, such as evisceration in the laying position on the ground and practice of skin and interior carcass surface washing after evisceration, were found to have the most significant influence on the microbiological conditions of final carcasses. Therefore, these findings indicate the need for the implementation and strict adherence to good hygiene practice in hunting estates and game handling establishments.

Common carp meat was smoked in traditional conditions without filter and with zeolite, granular activated carbon, and gravel filters. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of using different filters in traditional smoking conditions on 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the Environmental Protection Agency list (16 US-EPA PAHs). Determination and quantification of PAHs were performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the obtained results, all examined samples of common carp meat smoked in traditional conditions were safe for consumers regarding to the European Commission Regulation on PAH content. After statistical analysis, the zeolite filter appeared to be the best one based on food safety of traditional production of smoked common carp meat. Application of any of these filters to produce smoked common carp meat in traditional conditions resulted in a safer product, as lower levels of PAHs were obtained.

The application of antimicrobials in aquaculture primarily aims to prevent and treat bacterial infections in fish. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials in fish farming may result in the emergence of zoonotic antibiotic-resistant bacteria and subsequent transmission of resistant strains to humans via food consumption. From recently, AMR emerged as a significant public health concern in the aquaculture ecosystem and fisheries. The aquatic environment serves as a potential reservoir for resistant bacteria, with aquaculture practices providing an ideal breeding ground for AMR due to the excessive use of antimicrobials to prevent and treat diseases. The mutual inter-connection of intensive fish farming systems with terrestrial environments, food processing industry and human population creates pathways for the transmission of resistant bacteria, exacerbating the problem further. One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, enables a holistic approach to address the challenges posed by AMR. By understanding the evolution of such approach, the future of aquaculture, being the important source of a global animal protein supply, can be safeguarded. Risk mitigation strategies for AMR should be based on One Health concept to contribute to sustainable aquaculture practices that protect human and animal health, ensure food safety and protection of environment.

Maximum limits for PAHs content in honey and bee products are not set. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of honey for the presence of PAH16 with the aim of detecting potential contamination and health risks for consumers. A total number of 61 honey samples produced in the territory of Serbia were examined. The content of PAH16 was measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method. Large values were found in some samples: 140.6 µg/kg for chrysene, 136.3 µg/kg for benzo[ghi]perylene, 120.1 µg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene, 87.2 µg/kg for benz[a]anthracene and 79.6 µg/kg for benzo[k]fluoranthene. It was established that 6.6% honey samples were not safe for human consumption because of high benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 content, which greatly exceeded the maximum limits for all food categories. Considering that screening of honey obtained from the market does not allow accurate detection of the contamination origin requires further investigations to identify potential contamination sources.