Super bacteria that resist antibiotics. They were found in samples taken from four hamburgers out of the 12 purchased from the refrigerated counter of supermarkets and analyzed by Il Salvagente for the new issue of the specialized magazine, specifically in laboratory tests.The objective was to evaluate hygiene and raw material quality based on the ratio between collagen and proteins.Though, what is worrying is not the overall state of hygiene of the meat, but “the possible presence – which was actually found in 30 percent of cases – of microorganisms capable of breaking through the pharmacological shield of medicines used to treat infections caused by these same bacteria.” Yet all the hamburgers analyzed were found to be compliant with the law.This is as manufacturers, unlike what should happen in farms and slaughterhouses, are not obliged to subject the bacteria present in hamburgers to the antibiogram, i.e., the in vitro microbiological examination that determines the sensitivity or resistance of a specific bacterium to various antibiotics. Therefore,this type of control is lacking along the supply chain,making it impractical to assess which antibiotics have become ineffective and which have not. Actually, antibiotic resistances were found in the Terre d’Italia hamburger from Carrefour, in the Chianina hamburger from Lidl, in the Gramburger from Gram Gram, and in the maxihamburger from ‘La collina delle bontà’ from Eurospin. “The moast serious resistances detected by Salvagente are linked to the presence, in some hamburgers, of escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase positive and staphylococci capable of surviving modern and widely used medicines in these cases, such as cephalosporins, a class of beta-lactam antibiotics” writes Enrico Cinotti, deputy director and author of the investigation. What are the consequences for the consumer? Whether you like it or not, to kill the antibiotic-resistant bacteria present in this type of meat, the only solution is to cook it well. As is also reminded on many packages.
The global alarm and 12,000 deaths per year in Italy
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And it is indeed a problem given that, as explained by the World health Organization in the Global Antibiotic resistance Surveillance Report 2025 “antimicrobial resistance (Amr) is eroding the
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Governments worldwide are increasingly enacting supply chain due diligence laws, requiring companies to investigate and address human rights and environmental risks within thier supply chains. These laws aim to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts linked to business operations, extending obligation beyond direct operations to encompass suppliers and subcontractors.
What are Supply Chain due Diligence Laws?
Supply chain due diligence laws mandate that companies take steps to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for human rights and environmental risks associated with their operations and supply chains. These laws move beyond voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives,establishing legal obligations for businesses.
The scope of these laws varies, but generally includes requirements for risk assessments, due diligence processes, remediation of harms, and public reporting. Companies are expected to demonstrate a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential issues, rather than simply reacting to crises.
For example, the Modern Slavery Supply Chain Statement required by Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act (though limited in scope) was an early example of this trend, focusing on conflict minerals.
Key Legislation and Regulations
France’s Duty of vigilance Law (Loi sur le devoir de vigilance)
France’s Duty of Vigilance Law, enacted in 2017, requires large French companies with at least 5,000 employees (consolidated) to establish and implement vigilance plans to identify risks of human rights violations and environmental damage resulting from their activities and those of their subsidiaries, subcontractors, and suppliers. Lexology provides a detailed overview of the law.
The law includes provisions for civil liability, allowing victims of harm to seek redress from companies that fail to adequately implement vigilance plans. As of January 2023, the law was amended to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and expand the scope of potential plaintiffs.
In February 2024, a French court found TotalEnergies guilty of failing in its duty of vigilance regarding human rights abuses linked to a Ugandan oil project.
Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz)
Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, applies to companies with at least 1,000 employees and requires them to exercise due diligence to prevent human rights and environmental violations throughout their supply chains. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides information on the law.
The law covers a wide range of risks,including forced labour,child labor,and environmental pollution. Companies must establish a risk management system, conduct regular risk assessments, and take remedial action when violations are identified.
The Act includes a tiered approach, with larger companies facing more stringent requirements. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to €800,000.
European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
The European Union is developing the Corporate Sustainability Due diligence Directive (CSDDD), which aims to establish a comprehensive framework for supply chain due diligence across all EU member states. The European Commission provides details on the CSDDD.
The CSDDD will apply to a broad range of companies, including those operating in high-risk sectors.It will require companies to identify and address adverse impacts on human rights and the environment, and to provide access to remedy for victims of harm.
As of January 30, 2026, the CSDDD is facing political hurdles and its final form and implementation timeline remain uncertain, following a qualified majority vote in the Council of the EU on March 1, 2024, to approve a compromise text. Reuters reports on the recent developments.
