o:8646 Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance en Foodborne zoonotic bacteria present a major public health concern worldwide, responsible for hundreds of millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. These organisms not only cause severe illness but are increasingly exhibiting resistance to critically important antimicrobials, limiting treatment options and complicating outbreak control. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains, particularly in low- and middle-income coun- tries, is closely linked to the misuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and food-produc- ing animals. Resistance arises through multiple mechanisms, including enzymatic drug in- activation, target site modification, reduced membrane permeability, efflux pump activation, and the horizontal transfer of resistance genes via mobile genetic elements. This paper presents an overview of the global burden of foodborne zoonoses, highlighting the prevalence and AMR patterns of major zoonotic bacterial pathogens (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and me- thicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) across different regions. It also addresses the sub- stantial economic costs associated with these infections. Drawing on recent data from WHO, EFSA, ECDC, CDC, and OECD, the paper underscores the urgent need for coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies. Emphasis is placed on the One Health approach as a comprehensive framework to address the interconnected risks to human, animal, and environmental health. Strengthening surveillance, promoting responsible antimicrobial use, and improving food safety systems are essential to mitigate the growing threat of AMR along the food chain. Antimicrobial resistance, Foodborne zoonotic bacteria, Global disease burden, One Health 1552099 10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.74 2025-12-09T08:41:10.964Z 44 yes 46 Slavica Vesković-Moračanin Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6904-9510 Milan Milijašević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance person https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4269-236X Jelena Babić-Milijašević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance person https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8923-7046 Bojana Danilović University of Niš, Faculty of Technology, Bulevar oslobodjenja 124, 16 000 Leskovac, Serbia Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance person https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4444-2746 Nevijo Zdolec University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Major foodborne zoonotic bacteria and their role in antimicrobial resistance person https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7413-8115 application/pdf 482494 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8646 no yes 16 70 92000002 71A01 Meat technology - Special Issue 66/3 2025 1-576 66 3 428 434 Kaćanskog 13, 11 000 Belgrade Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology 2025-12-01 www.journalmeattechnology.com