Changes to sampling requirements at low-throughput slaughterhouses are unlikely to result in a significant shift in the number of Campylobacter cases in the UK, according to a report.
Researchers did not detect a significant difference in the proportion of highly contaminated samples from low- and high-throughput slaughterhouses. High contamination is above 1,000 colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g).
The Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) has developed this Food Crime Risk Profiling Tool to support Food Business Operators (FBO) to understand their risk from food crime and the measures they can take to reduce this risk.
The Food Crime Risk Profiling Tool is intended to be completed by those responsible for setting the strategy and direction. You'll be asked to answer a number of statements to evaluate your business and identify areas for improvement against four key areas:
* Strategy
* Performance
* Organisation
* Culture
The Government in the United Kingdom has confirmed a delay to import inspections until January next year.
Reports in early August suggested post-Brexit border controls were to be pushed back for the fifth time.
Sanitary and phytosanitary controls were delayed for three months and will now be introduced beginning Jan. 31, 2024. This includes health certification on imports of medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU.
Manufacturers are also being advised to tell retailers that they should not offer free refill promotions to under-10s, to prevent young children being exposed to excessive amounts of glycerol.
The updated guidance follows an FSA risk assessment which found that children below this age may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.
Sulphites are used to maintain appearance, increase shelf-life, and prevent the growth of hazardous microorganisms (e.g, fungi, bacteria).
The European Commission would like to consult interested stakeholders on sulphur dioxide-sulphites (E 220-228) with respect to: a) the authorisations of E 226-228 and b) the uses of E 220-228 in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives.
Controls in EU countries on bivalve mollusks are not always adequate to protect consumer health, according to the European Commission.
Bivalve mollusks include mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops. France, Spain, Italy, and Greece make up more than 80 percent of the production in Europe, mostly from aquaculture.
Most hospitals and social care sites are aware of Listeria guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) but an analysis has found several challenges around implementation.
In a 2019 outbreak associated with pre-packed sandwiches supplied to hospitals in England, seven patients died of listeriosis.
More than 70 people have fallen sick in the United Kingdom with Cyclospora infections after visiting Mexico.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it has identified an increase of Cyclospora cayetanensis in travelers returning from Mexico. The microscopic parasite is transmitted through contaminated food or drinks.
Between May 12 and Aug. 14, 74 cases were reported in England, Wales, and Scotland. Slightly more than half of patients are female and overall patients have a median age of 44.
Food agencies in the United Kingdom have advised that slush ice drinks should not be sold to children younger than age 5.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued voluntary industry guidance on glycerol in slush ice drinks after two children fell sick in Scotland in Lanarkshire in 2021 and in Edinburgh in 2022. Both required hospitalization and had symptoms consistent with glycerol intoxication.
According to a survey, there are low levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in E. coli on beef and pork meat on sale in the United Kingdom.
The report was produced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) under contract with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
In 2021, 105 samples of fresh beef and pork on retail sale in the UK were sampled between October and December and investigated for E. coli. In previous surveys, 300 samples were tested throughout one year. Reduced numbers were because of the delayed start following exit from the EU and because of lab capacity.
Experts have made several recommendations ahead of a potential update to guidelines relating to the control of Listeria in food.
Consumer practices deviating from the intended use of a food highlights the need for improved labeling about correct preparation and businesses need to assess the potential impacts of climate change, said scientists brought together by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
Almost 2,000 poisonings linked to wild mushrooms were recorded in France in 2022.
A total of 1,923 intoxications were reported to poison control centers (CAP) during the surveillance period, between July and December. The amount is usually around 1,300 cases. Levels in 2022 were similar to those in 2019.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is calling on people to help gather data which will shape future food safety messaging.
The FROST Project – which stands for Fridge Recording Over Set Time – runs from August for several months. Initial results are expected by spring or early summer next year.
Food safety and security have been identified as one of 25 strategic economic, geopolitical, social, environmental, and technological risks facing Ireland over the short, medium and long term in a new report.
The Irish government published its National Risk Assessment 2023, which according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, is a “systematic overview” of national level risks that Ireland faces as a country.
One person has died in an E. coli outbreak being investigated by health authorities in the United Kingdom.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are trying to find the source of the ongoing Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O183 outbreak with the help of other public health agencies.
FSA is looking for a Senior Intelligence Analyst who can help us effectively evaluate information received by the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU). Managing our skilled analysis team, you will provide leadership around strategic and tactical analysis, developing and allocating work packages that will enable us to better identify, disrupt and deter criminals impacting food across the country.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are advising pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system to avoid eating ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish, following publication of a risk assessment showing they are at higher risk of severe illness from listeriosis. Products include smoked salmon, smoked trout and gravlax.
A LIMERICK firm which provides school meals has landed a prestigious food safety accreditation.
Carambola Kidz, located at Annacotty Business Park, was one of 19 food facilities and businesses in Ireland given a Food Safety Assurance Accreditation which highlights a commitment to excellence in food safety culture.
Food safety authorities covering England, Wales and Scotland have opened a comment period on the rates of checks for selected food and feed of non-animal origin from certain countries.
Proposed amendments would apply a temporary change to official controls or special conditions on the entry into Great Britain of the selected products. Stricter checks have been suggested for enoki mushrooms from two nations because of Listeria as well as tahini and halva from one country because of Salmonella.
Almost 250 Salmonella infections in the United Kingdom since the start of 2023 have been linked to travel to Turkey.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shared steps to reduce the risk of common infections when going abroad in summer.
