These are the key findings of an EFSA scientific opinion published today, which also evaluates new methods for detecting and killing parasites in fish.
Available scientific data from the EU/EFTA area, although limited, indicates that many species of farmed fish intended for the market are free from zoonotic parasite infection. These include Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, gilthead seabream, turbot, meagre, Atlantic halibut, carp, and European catfish.
For domestic pigs, 2023 saw the largest number of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks since 2014. Croatia and Romania notified 96% of the total number of outbreaks (1,929).
The number of outbreaks in 2023 in wild boar increased by 10% compared to the previous year. The virus was introduced for the first time in Sweden and Croatia and spread to new areas of Italy. It also re-appeared in Greece after a two-year break.
Germany, Hungary and Slovakia saw the epidemiological situation improve in their countries with the number of outbreaks in wild boar decreasing.
There has been a lot of public interest and debate recently around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the possible correlation between the consumption of a lot of UPF and poorer health.
The UK government advises consumers to follow the Eatwell Guide (Opens in a new window) which shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
The PAFA project found that more than 30% of adults reported some types of adverse reactions when eating food - meaning they had an illness or trouble when eating a particular food. When this was investigated further through a clinical assessment, it was found that around 6% of the UK adult population are estimated to have a clinically confirmed food allergy. This equates to around 2.4 million adults in the UK.
A survey of consumers in Europe and the United Kingdom has revealed a decrease in trust in the food sector but a high level of confidence in safety.
The Trust Report surveyed 19,642 people from 18 countries on their level of trust in the food system and found that less than half of consumers have trust in food. Work was conducted by Ipsos in August and September 2023 and included people in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK.
At least 46 cryptosporidium infections have been confirmed in England linked to contaminated water.
Torbay Council, South West Water, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS Devon and the Environment Agency are investigating the outbreak. There have been around another 100 reported cases of diarrhea and vomiting.
Experts have identified several areas where the war in Ukraine may impact food safety in Switzerland.
A food safety early detection system called FRESIL, introduced by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), aims to identify and assess potential foodborne risks to consumer health. These include risks associated with geopolitical events, such as military conflicts.
Two articles have been published giving an insight into official controls in France on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Listeria contamination in food.
In the first report, monitoring plans aimed to establish the contamination rates of ground (minced) beef and raw milk cheeses by the STEC strains identified as the most risky in France.
Researchers have shared details about how a Listeria outbreak in Switzerland in 2022 traced to fish was solved.
In the summer of 2022, the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) noticed increased reports of listeriosis cases, indicating a possible outbreak.
Twenty Listeria monocytogenes patient isolates were found to belong to an outbreak cluster, and 18 cases occurred in northeastern Switzerland. The median age of patients was 77.4 years old, with a range of 58 to 89 years old, and both sexes were equally affected. Nineteen people were hospitalized, and one person died.
This second 5-year national action plan supports the UK 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance.
It was developed across the government, its agencies and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with support from a range of stakeholders.
According to a study, food allergen information given online can be lacking or provided in different formats.
Researchers evaluated the accuracy and compliance of information and labeling of substances or products causing allergies or intolerances in food and drink imported from Asia and purchased online in the United Kingdom.
Food allergen issues are a major cause of product recalls worldwide, according to a study funded by Campden BRI and published in Food Control.
The European Commission has opened a comment period as part of plans to change the current set-up and establish EU reference laboratories (EURLs) in public health.
The call for applications covers three EURLs. The first is an EURL for food and waterborne bacteria; the second is for food, water, and vector-borne helminths and protozoa; and the third is for food and waterborne viruses.
Data showing the scale of pesticide residues on food have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
110,829 food samples were collected in the European Union in 2022. Results show that 96.3 percent were within legally permitted levels. Of these, 65,374 samples did not contain quantifiable residues, while 37.3 percent had residues not above the limits.
EFSA is looking for passionate scientists to ensure the provision of scientific advice regarding the following domains:
-Food/Feed microbiology: biological hazards related to food safety and foodborne diseases, including foodborne zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, food/feed microbiology, food/feed hygiene, and waste management.
The latest wave of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Food and You 2 survey, conducted between April and July 2023, shows that respondents’ concerns over food affordability continued to rise to the highest level since the survey began.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) organised the first in a series of four international workshops on horizon scanning in plant health. Held at ANSES headquarters in Paris on 9-10 April 2024, the event marked a step forward for plant health by bringing together global expertise, fostering collaboration and shaping the future of horizon scanning for possible emerging risks.
The European Commission has published a draft amendment to the Listeria monocytogenes microbiological criterion laid down under Food Category 1.2 in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. The reason for the proposed amendment is to align the criterion with the international Codex Alimentarius guidelines for Listeria monocytogenes. In the Codex guidelines, there is a criterion of L. monocytogenes not detected in 25 g while placed on the market for foods able to support growth.
Certain food and feed products called regulated products, which include food additives and flavourings, need to be authorised as safe before they can be sold. To do this this, the FSA and FSS carry out a robust risk analysis process and provide advice to ministers in England, Wales, and Scotland, who decide whether the product can be sold.
The UK inherited the current authorisation process from the EU, and it is clear significant change is needed to modernise the system. This is so we can bring benefits to consumers through a wider choice of safe food, as new, innovative products come to market more quickly.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and food manufacturer Mars have renewed their partnership on food safety.
Maximo Torero, FAO’s chief economist, and Dr. Abigail Stevenson, chief science officer for Mars, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote better understanding and application of Codex Alimentarius food standards.
FAO and Mars will work on enhancing mycotoxin management in maize value chains through modeling approaches and strengthen information-sharing on emerging food safety threats, technologies, and trends.
This paper reports a simple screening method for vegetable oil adulterants (corn, sesame, soy, sunflower, almond, and hazelnut) in olive oil. It is based on a multispecies DNA sensor that can be read with the naked eye. It is the first report of a DNA sensor for olive oil adulteration detection with other plant oils.
