Trust Practice Health Update 35 (16th March 2010)
Health Update 35 (16th March 2010)
FSA eNews March 2010 (17th March 2010)
Health Protection Report Vol. 4 No. 9 (5th March 2010)
Health Protection Report Vol. 4 No. 10 (12th March 2010)
GP and Practice Team Bulletin Issue 92, March 2010 (8th March 2010)
NHS Design Champions Newsletter Issue 1, March 2010 (10th March 2010)
Showing posts with label Food Standards Agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food Standards Agency. Show all posts
19 March 2010
4 March 2010
DIET/NUTRITION
Government response to the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board end of year progress report (25th February 2010)
The Government's response to the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board's end of year report on implementation of the Nutrition Action Plan, published in 2007.
Document
The Government's response to the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board's end of year report on implementation of the Nutrition Action Plan, published in 2007.
Document
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion on health claims published (25th February 2010)
The EFSA has published its second batch of opinions on a wide variety of health claims submitted by food businesses from across the UK and other EU member states.
Report
The EFSA has published its second batch of opinions on a wide variety of health claims submitted by food businesses from across the UK and other EU member states.
Report
FSA E-news Issue 1 February 2010 (22nd February 2010)
Anyone interested in nutrition and healthy eating can get the 'buzz' of the latest news as it is published, following the launch of a new electronic newsletter from the Food Standards Agency.
FSA News, the Agency’s monthly newsletter, which has been going since 2001, has been re-launched as an electronic publication, FSA e-News. This means that readers will be able to get the news emailed direct to their computers as soon as it has been published.
Newsletter
Anyone interested in nutrition and healthy eating can get the 'buzz' of the latest news as it is published, following the launch of a new electronic newsletter from the Food Standards Agency.
FSA News, the Agency’s monthly newsletter, which has been going since 2001, has been re-launched as an electronic publication, FSA e-News. This means that readers will be able to get the news emailed direct to their computers as soon as it has been published.
Newsletter
PARENTING
Food Standards Agency (FSA) reminds parents of advice on making up infant formula (25th February 2010)
The Agency is reminding parents and childcarers who use powdered infant formula to use hot water to make up a feed. Formula powder isn’t sterile, so occasionally it could contain harmful bacteria, which could make babies ill. Using water that is 70°C, or higher, will kill any harmful bacteria in the powder.
Recent research funded by the Agency has confirmed the importance of using hot water to make up powdered formula. But some parents aren’t aware of this advice and may use cold water, or boiled water that has been cooled for longer than half an hour.
Information
The Agency is reminding parents and childcarers who use powdered infant formula to use hot water to make up a feed. Formula powder isn’t sterile, so occasionally it could contain harmful bacteria, which could make babies ill. Using water that is 70°C, or higher, will kill any harmful bacteria in the powder.
Recent research funded by the Agency has confirmed the importance of using hot water to make up powdered formula. But some parents aren’t aware of this advice and may use cold water, or boiled water that has been cooled for longer than half an hour.
Information
18 February 2010
DIET/NUTRITION
National Diet and Nutrition Survey (9th February 2010)
The findings of a UK dietary survey, published by the Food Standards Agency, suggest that the nation is eating less saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar than it was 10 years ago. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) is the first comprehensive survey of people’s eating patterns since 2001, when the survey was last carried out.
Survey
The findings of a UK dietary survey, published by the Food Standards Agency, suggest that the nation is eating less saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar than it was 10 years ago. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) is the first comprehensive survey of people’s eating patterns since 2001, when the survey was last carried out.
Survey
4 February 2010
CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE
Giving children a healthy start (3rd February 2010)
This report assesses the local implementation of national policy from 1999 to 2009 on the health of children from birth to five years of age in England. It examines local service planning and delivery, including priority setting, and how local bodies can improve service delivery and access for vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, lone and teenage parents. The report discusses the impact of government funding on health outcomes for the under-fives; how effectively local bodies manage their resources; and the extent to which they are providing good value for money. It provides recommendations for national and local bodies, as well as examples of notable practice.
Report
This report assesses the local implementation of national policy from 1999 to 2009 on the health of children from birth to five years of age in England. It examines local service planning and delivery, including priority setting, and how local bodies can improve service delivery and access for vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, lone and teenage parents. The report discusses the impact of government funding on health outcomes for the under-fives; how effectively local bodies manage their resources; and the extent to which they are providing good value for money. It provides recommendations for national and local bodies, as well as examples of notable practice.
Report
Small steps towards a healthier life (2nd February 2010)
The Food Standards Agency has officially launched SmallSteps4Life – an interactive website to motivate young people to take simple steps towards improving their health and well-being, both inside and outside the classroom.
Information
The Food Standards Agency has officially launched SmallSteps4Life – an interactive website to motivate young people to take simple steps towards improving their health and well-being, both inside and outside the classroom.
Information
Promoting the emotional health of children and young people: guidance for Children's Trust partnerships, including how to deliver (January 2010)
The emotional health of children and young people is increasingly recognised as being fundamental to the wellbeing and future prospects of individuals and communities. Emotional health is nurtured primarily in the home, but we know that practitioners and services can and do make a difference.
This non-statutory guidance is for directors and assistant directors of children’s services, directors of public health, commissioning managers in local authorities and Primary Care Trusts. It aims to help Children’s Trust partners to develop a strategic approach to improving the emotional health of children and young people, in line with the aims of NI 50.
Guidance
The emotional health of children and young people is increasingly recognised as being fundamental to the wellbeing and future prospects of individuals and communities. Emotional health is nurtured primarily in the home, but we know that practitioners and services can and do make a difference.
This non-statutory guidance is for directors and assistant directors of children’s services, directors of public health, commissioning managers in local authorities and Primary Care Trusts. It aims to help Children’s Trust partners to develop a strategic approach to improving the emotional health of children and young people, in line with the aims of NI 50.
Guidance
DIET/NUTRITION
Citizens' forum findings on front-of-pack nutrition labelling (28th January 2010)
The Food Standards Agency has published the latest report of people's views on food labels and their awareness and understanding of front-of-pack nutrition labelling. This is part of a nationwide series of 'citizens' forums' set up to establish a dialogue with the public on food.
Report
The Food Standards Agency has published the latest report of people's views on food labels and their awareness and understanding of front-of-pack nutrition labelling. This is part of a nationwide series of 'citizens' forums' set up to establish a dialogue with the public on food.
Report
9 December 2009
CONSULTATIONS
Pharmacy in England: building on strengths - delivering the future - Draft regulations under the Health Act 2009: pharmaceutical needs assessments. Consultation document (1st December 2009)
Following consultation in Autumn 2008, two clauses were introduced in the Health Bill 2009 (now the Health Act 2009).
Closing date for comments is 28th February 2010.
Consultation
Following consultation in Autumn 2008, two clauses were introduced in the Health Bill 2009 (now the Health Act 2009).
- to require Primary Care Trusts to develop and publish pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs); and
- then to use PNAs as the basis for determining market entry to NHS pharmaceutical services provision
Closing date for comments is 28th February 2010.
Consultation
A Consultation on proposals for the Innovation Pass pilot (28th November 2009)
In July the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) published the ‘Life Sciences Blueprint’ which announced a package of measures to help maintain a competitive life science sector. One of the initiatives announced in the blueprint was the introduction of an ‘Innovation Pass’.
This consultation seeks views from the NHS, industry and other stakeholders on the Government’s proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot. These proposals will be revised in light of comments received as part of this consultation and will be used to inform the first set of decisions for the pilot in 2010/1
Closing date for comments is 8th February 2010.
Consultation
In July the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) published the ‘Life Sciences Blueprint’ which announced a package of measures to help maintain a competitive life science sector. One of the initiatives announced in the blueprint was the introduction of an ‘Innovation Pass’.
This consultation seeks views from the NHS, industry and other stakeholders on the Government’s proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot. These proposals will be revised in light of comments received as part of this consultation and will be used to inform the first set of decisions for the pilot in 2010/1
Closing date for comments is 8th February 2010.
Consultation
Personal care at home: a consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance (25th November 2009)
A consultation document containing proposals for regulations and guidance made under the Personal Care At Home Bill has been published today. An impact assessment accompanying the consultation is also available. An easy read version will be available soon.
Although closing date for comments is 23rd February 2010, the Department of Health would like, if possible, comments to reach them by 26th January 2010.
Consultation
A consultation document containing proposals for regulations and guidance made under the Personal Care At Home Bill has been published today. An impact assessment accompanying the consultation is also available. An easy read version will be available soon.
Although closing date for comments is 23rd February 2010, the Department of Health would like, if possible, comments to reach them by 26th January 2010.
Consultation
Provision of calorie labelling at point of choice in catering outlets (3rd December 2009)
The Food Standards Agency is seeking views on how a voluntary scheme to display calorie information on menus would work best in practice.
A calorie labelling scheme would help people make healthier choices when they are eating out, by letting them see the number of calories in the food and drink they order – whether they are in restaurants, coffee and sandwich shops, pubs, leisure attractions or staff restaurants.
Closing date for comments is 11th March 2010.
Press Release
Consultation
The Food Standards Agency is seeking views on how a voluntary scheme to display calorie information on menus would work best in practice.
A calorie labelling scheme would help people make healthier choices when they are eating out, by letting them see the number of calories in the food and drink they order – whether they are in restaurants, coffee and sandwich shops, pubs, leisure attractions or staff restaurants.
Closing date for comments is 11th March 2010.
Press Release
Consultation
DIET/NUTRITION
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:
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
PATIENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
Buying food when you have a food allergy or food intolerance. Helping you make the right choices (1st December 2009)
An advice leaflet for people who have been newly diagnosed with a food allergy has been published by the Food Standards Agency in collaboration with six allergy and nutrition organisations.
The leaflet, ‘Buying food when you have a food allergy or intolerance’, guides people with a food allergy or intolerance, including coeliac disease, through the steps to remember when buying food and when eating out. The topics covered include:
Leaflet
An advice leaflet for people who have been newly diagnosed with a food allergy has been published by the Food Standards Agency in collaboration with six allergy and nutrition organisations.
The leaflet, ‘Buying food when you have a food allergy or intolerance’, guides people with a food allergy or intolerance, including coeliac disease, through the steps to remember when buying food and when eating out. The topics covered include:
- checking the label on pre-packed food
- what to look out for when foods aren't pre-packed
- talking to restaurant staff about your allergy
- what to watch out for when using self-service restaurants
Leaflet
14 October 2009
FOOD SAFETY
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
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
16 September 2009
FOOD SAFETY
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:
News item
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
News item
4 September 2009
EDUCATION/SCHOOLS
Food route: a journey through food (10th August 2009)
'Food route: a journey through food' is a range of colourful age-appropriate resources designed and developed to enable young people to gain food-related skills and knowledge.
Informed by young people themselves, and their teachers, the resources bring the Food Standard Agency's food competences to life.
Resources
'Food route: a journey through food' is a range of colourful age-appropriate resources designed and developed to enable young people to gain food-related skills and knowledge.
Informed by young people themselves, and their teachers, the resources bring the Food Standard Agency's food competences to life.
Resources
New online learning tool launched to help kids protect themselves from infections (3rd September 2009)
School children across England and Europe can now learn about protecting themselves from swine flu and other infections, following today's launch of an education programme and interactive website by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
e-Bug is made up of educational activities for primary and secondary school-age children, complemented by online games, on microbes, hygiene, antibiotic use and vaccines. The programme features age-appropriate animated characters and cartoon microbes; and lesson plans and materials for teachers. Topics include hygiene measures to stop the spread of swine flu and other respiratory infections.
Press Release
Website
School children across England and Europe can now learn about protecting themselves from swine flu and other infections, following today's launch of an education programme and interactive website by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
e-Bug is made up of educational activities for primary and secondary school-age children, complemented by online games, on microbes, hygiene, antibiotic use and vaccines. The programme features age-appropriate animated characters and cartoon microbes; and lesson plans and materials for teachers. Topics include hygiene measures to stop the spread of swine flu and other respiratory infections.
Press Release
12 August 2009
DIET/NUTRITION
Food Route: a journey through food (10th August 2009)
The Food Standards Agency has published a new range of resources to enable young people to learn essential food-related skills and knowledge.
'Food route: a journey through food' is a range of colourful age-appropriate workbooks designed and developed to bring the Agency's food competences to life. The materials are supported by teachers' user guides and downloadable certificates, which can be awarded on completion of the various activities.
Resources
The Food Standards Agency has published a new range of resources to enable young people to learn essential food-related skills and knowledge.
'Food route: a journey through food' is a range of colourful age-appropriate workbooks designed and developed to bring the Agency's food competences to life. The materials are supported by teachers' user guides and downloadable certificates, which can be awarded on completion of the various activities.
Resources
5 August 2009
CONSULTATIONS
PbR data assurance framework 2010/11 onwards - consultation (3rd August 2009)
The Audit Commission have launched this consultation to review the programme that has been running for three years. Some of the things that are being proposed are:
Consultation
The Audit Commission have launched this consultation to review the programme that has been running for three years. Some of the things that are being proposed are:
- Primary care trusts should be more integral in determining risks and the local audit programme
- Greater appreciation of local knowledge, information and management arrangements should be built into future processes
- The programme should enable the Audit Commission to discharge their responsibility to provide national assurance of the quality of data underpinning PbR and other key systems.
Consultation
A joint consultation on the Report to Ministers from the DH Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the UK (3rd August 2009)
This consultation is launched jointly by the four health departments in the UK.
The consultation seeks respondents’ views on whether, and if so how, to regulate acupuncturists, herbal medicine practitioners and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. It focuses on the purpose of regulation – public protection - explains the difference between professional regulation (whether statutory or voluntary) and system regulation, and explores the links between the work of the DH Steering Group on the statutory regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine and TCM and the Regulation White Paper Working Group on Extending Professional Regulation. Closing date for comments is 2nd November 2009.
Consultation
Consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts (27th July 2009)
The overwhelming majority of foundation trust hospitals are high performing, providing patients with the highest quality of care. But their status must always be seen as a privilege and not a one-way ticket. Foundation trusts should not retain their freedoms where they are clearly failing their patients and where a loss of public confidence has occurred. The failings at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust exposed a need for changes to the current regulations and the Government is therefore consulting on changes to:
Consultation
New Horizons: towards a shared vision for mental health - consultation (23rd July 2009)
Good mental health is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of England. In the last decade, greater investment and reforms have transformed mental health care, but now we need to go further.
We need to target the root causes of mental illness and support the local development of higher quality, more personalised services.
New Horizons sets out ideas for achieving this. It explores the prevention of mental illness and earlier intervention when things go wrong. It also looks at how services can become more innovative and work more effectively together. Closing date for comments is 15th October 2009.
Consultation
This consultation is launched jointly by the four health departments in the UK.
The consultation seeks respondents’ views on whether, and if so how, to regulate acupuncturists, herbal medicine practitioners and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. It focuses on the purpose of regulation – public protection - explains the difference between professional regulation (whether statutory or voluntary) and system regulation, and explores the links between the work of the DH Steering Group on the statutory regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine and TCM and the Regulation White Paper Working Group on Extending Professional Regulation. Closing date for comments is 2nd November 2009.
Consultation
Consultation on the de-authorisation of NHS foundation trusts (27th July 2009)
The overwhelming majority of foundation trust hospitals are high performing, providing patients with the highest quality of care. But their status must always be seen as a privilege and not a one-way ticket. Foundation trusts should not retain their freedoms where they are clearly failing their patients and where a loss of public confidence has occurred. The failings at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust exposed a need for changes to the current regulations and the Government is therefore consulting on changes to:
- enable Monitor, in certain circumstances, to de-authorise a foundation trust and remove its foundation status, subject to agreement of the Secretary of State; and
- enable the Secretary of State, in certain circumstances, to request formally that Monitor takes specific action to intervene in or de-authorise a foundation trust. If Monitor decides not to de-authorise, or take the other action requested by the Secretary of State, then the regulator would be required to fully justify this in a written public report and set out the alternative steps it will take.
Consultation
New Horizons: towards a shared vision for mental health - consultation (23rd July 2009)
Good mental health is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of England. In the last decade, greater investment and reforms have transformed mental health care, but now we need to go further.
We need to target the root causes of mental illness and support the local development of higher quality, more personalised services.
New Horizons sets out ideas for achieving this. It explores the prevention of mental illness and earlier intervention when things go wrong. It also looks at how services can become more innovative and work more effectively together. Closing date for comments is 15th October 2009.
Consultation
Front-of-pack nutrition labelling for pre-packed foods sold through retail outlets in the UK (30th July 2009)
This consultation seeks views on practical issues that need to be resolved for an integrated front-of-pack nutrition labelling approach to work in real-life settings and help consumers to make healthier choices. Closing date for comments is 5th November 2009.
Consultation
This consultation seeks views on practical issues that need to be resolved for an integrated front-of-pack nutrition labelling approach to work in real-life settings and help consumers to make healthier choices. Closing date for comments is 5th November 2009.
Consultation
27 May 2009
DIET/NUTRITION
Arsenic in rice research published (21st May 2009)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA)has published results from two studies:
The FSA is not advising anyone to change the way they cook rice as a result of the second study.
Reports
The Food Standards Agency (FSA)has published results from two studies:
- Arsenic levels in rice drinks
- Cooking methods to reduce arsenic levels in rice
The FSA is not advising anyone to change the way they cook rice as a result of the second study.
Reports
FOOD SAFETY
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
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
14 May 2009
DIET/NUTRITION
Comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes (6th May 2009)
The final report of the independent group of experts who have led the front of pack (FOP) nutrition signpost evaluation project was published 3rd May 2009. The main conclusions from the report are:
The final report of the independent group of experts who have led the front of pack (FOP) nutrition signpost evaluation project was published 3rd May 2009. The main conclusions from the report are:
- A single FOP scheme would be most helpful for shoppers
- Overall, the balance of evidence demonstrated that the strongest FOP label is one which combines use of the words 'high, medium and low', traffic light colours and percentage of Guideline Daily Amount (GDA)
- Shoppers who use FOP labels value them
- There is a generally high level of understanding of FOP labels, even among those who don't tend to use them.
Products free of colours associated with hyperactivity (1st May 2009)
The Food Standards Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children. A further 22 manufacturers producing product lines free of the colours have been added to the list.
Information
The Food Standards Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children. A further 22 manufacturers producing product lines free of the colours have been added to the list.
Information
18 February 2009
DIET/NUTRITION
Public attitudes to food (10th February 2009)
The results of this survey of public attitudes towards food issues, which was commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), show that many people are confused over date labels, which could mean that some are taking risks by eating food that is past its ‘use by’ safety date.
Survey
Saturated fat campaign (10th February 2009)
The FSA has launched a public health campaign to raise awareness of the health risks of eating too much saturated fat. People in the UK eat on average 20% more saturated fat than the recommended maximum.
Press Release and campaign materials
The results of this survey of public attitudes towards food issues, which was commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), show that many people are confused over date labels, which could mean that some are taking risks by eating food that is past its ‘use by’ safety date.
Survey
Saturated fat campaign (10th February 2009)
The FSA has launched a public health campaign to raise awareness of the health risks of eating too much saturated fat. People in the UK eat on average 20% more saturated fat than the recommended maximum.
Press Release and campaign materials
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