Food safety and food security cannot be considered without considering the One Health concept (1). This approach underscores the interdependence of health challenges compromising people, animals, plants, and the environment in which they coexist. Antimicrobial resistance is one of these threats, and the food chain is considered an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (2). The food industry produces wastes and by-products from a variety of sources which have the potential to mitigate environmental impacts and be effective against pathogenic foodborne bacteria (3,4). In addition to by-products, natural sources have demonstrated significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, emphasizing the potential of natural extracts derived from the food chain to enhance food safety (5). This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of natural products from northern Portugal, including Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Punica granatum L., and Castanea sativa hedgehog, to understand their potential as bioactive compounds. To prepare the crude extract, we employed a solid–liquid extraction process followed by freeze-drying to obtain the dried extracts. Initially, a screening of the extracts was conducted using the MIC method to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against key pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and more. Subsequently, the best-performing extract was analyzed for its physicochemical properties, including antioxidant capacity and phenolic compound content. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. exhibited MIC values of 7.81 mg/mL against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, demonstrating bactericidal activity. Punica granatum L. showed MIC values ranging from 1.95 mg/mL to 3.91 mg/mL, while the hedgehog extract of Castanea sativa, displayed the most effective activity, with MIC values between 0.250 mg/mL and 1.00mg/mL. Castanea sativa hedgehog extract was further analyzed for its antioxidant activity and phenolic compound contents. Overall, this study highlights the promising role of these natural extracts as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic bacteria and the necessity for further investigations.