Food Standards Agency's Strategy for 2010-2015 (7th December 2009)Consumers should expect to be eating safer food and be choosing healthier and more balanced meals by 2015 as a result of the Food Standards Agency’s Strategy for 2010–2015, published today.
The five outcomes the Agency aims to deliver are:
- food produced or sold in the UK is safe to eat
- imported food is safe to eat
- consumers understand about safe food and healthy eating, and have the information they need to make informed choices
- food products and catering meals are healthier
- regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators and others, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks
Strategy
Mission: Possible! National Pilot Project Evaluation Report (12th October 2009)The Food Standards Agency has published an evaluation report of FSA Mission: Possible!, a UK-wide pilot scheme aimed at teaching food hygiene messages to children aged 8 to 10 (key stage 2).
The report concludes that the pilot was a great success. The scheme's secret agent concept captured pupils' imaginations and allowed them to develop a range of skills that could be applied to the wider curriculum, such as carrying out scientific investigation. FSA Mission: Possible! has proved to be a valuable resource, which is popular with children, their parents and teachers, and local authorities.
Report
Report on the increased incidence of Listeriosis in the UK (14th September 2009)The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) has, after public consultation, published a report on increased incidence of listeriosis in the UK.
Following reports of an increase in cases of listeria, predominantly in the over-60s age group, the Food Standards Agency sought advice from the ACMSF, an independent scientific advisory committee, on the reasons for this change. Similar increases were also reported in other European countries, including France and Germany.
Recommendations include:
- studies to investigate differences in virulence of listeria
- maintaining targeted active surveillance for listeria spp. in foods is important to inform control of this organism
- information on food consumption patterns of the over 60s (including vulnerable groups) is needed to inform approaches to risk management
- communicating general food safety advice to the over 60s, as well as to those involved in their care and preparation of their food
Report
News item
DH advice for toddlers and young children (1-5 years) to avoid rice drinks due to risk of exposure to inorganic arsenic (27th May 2009)The Department of Health advises that all toddlers and young children should avoid the consumption of rice drinks in order to minimise their exposure to inorganic arsenic. This follows research published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) looking at levels of arsenic in rice drinks.
Advice
Arsenic in rice research published (21st May 2009)The Food Standards Agency (FSA)has published results from two studies:
- Arsenic levels in rice drinks
- Cooking methods to reduce arsenic levels in rice
As a result of the first study, the FSA recommends that toddlers and young children should not have rice drinks.
The FSA is not advising anyone to change the way they cook rice as a result of the second study.
Reports
Food Handlers: Fitness to Work - A Practical Guide for Food Business Operators (14th May 2009)People who work around open food while suffering from certain infections (mainly from bacteria and viruses) can contaminate the food or surfaces the food may come into contact with. The Agency has published revised 'Food Handlers: Fitness to Work' guidance to help prevent the spread of infection to other people through food.
The guidance aims to help managers and staff to prevent the spread of infection by advising which illnesses and symptoms staff should report and what managers should do in response.
Guidance
Microbiological Quality of Salad Vegetables and Sauces from Kebab Take-away Restaurants (5th March 2009)A new report published today reveals that 5% of salads and sauces served in kebab takeaway restaurants contain "unsatisfactory" (4.7%) and "unacceptable" (0.4%) levels of bacteria.
The study was carried out by the Health Protection Agency, LACORS (the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services) and local councils. The aim was to identify potential risks to consumers and controls that can improve food safety.
ReportAn Assessment of the Microbiological Safety of Ready-To-Eat Dried Seeds from Retail Premises in the UK with a focus on Salmonella spp. (25th February 2009)A recent study carried out by the Health Protection Agency and LACORS (Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services) has revealed the presence of Salmonella and E. coli bacteria in a small number of ready-to-eat dried seed samples.
Seeds, such as sesame, sunflower, pumpkin and poppy, are frequently eaten as snack foods or incorporated into meals without further cooking. The study was therefore undertaken to explore the microbiological safety of these products as they would be eaten by consumers.
Report
Christmas Lunch Unwrapped (15th December 2008)
The Food Standards Agency has issued its top tips for a safer Christmas lunch to help everyone enjoy a healthier festive season.
Tips
Listeria - keeping food safe (31st July 2008)
The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency are reminding those involved in the provision of food in healthcare settings of key steps they can take to minimise the risk of listeriosis. There have been recent incidents involving clusters of listeriosis cases in which chilled ready-to-eat foods served in healthcare settings were investigated as possible sources. In addition, the Health Protection Agency has identified an increase in listeriosis, predominantly involving the over 60’s with underlying medical conditions, in England and Wales since 2001.
Click here for the Guidance
Food Safety Week (9th June 2008)
Food Safety Week is an annual event held to promote the importance of good food hygiene in the home. This year the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have launched its latest food hygiene campaign ‘GermWatch’ to coincide with it.
Click here for Resources
