FSA announces new strategy to tackle food poisoning bug
11:10 - 23/07/2010
FSA announces new strategy to tackle ...
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), has unveiled a new research strategy designed to tackle the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.
The strategy is being coordinated by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Scottish Government and the FSA. It is the first time that all of these organisations have joined together to tackle the problem.
The government recently announced their intention to retain the FSA after making several changes. The Department of Health is now responsible for nutrition policy in England, while Defra is responsible for country-of-origin labelling, other types of food labelling not related to safety, and food composition policies in England. The FSA, however, will maintain its crucial food safety role.
The realigned FSA has now joined forces with other public funders of food safety research in the UK to investigate the common food bug campylobacter. This follows its partnership with BBSRC, Defra and the Scottish Government in the multi-agency Global Food Security programme, which identifies research into the provision of safe food as a priority.
Figures suggest that around 65% of raw shop-bought chicken is contaminated with campylobacter and, although correct cooking will kill the bug, it still accounts for over 300,000 cases of food poisoning every year in the UK. Around 15,000 of these cases are serious enough to require hospitalisation.
Although leading experts agree that there is no conclusive solution to this problem, the new strategy aims to develop a range of mechanisms that will significantly reduce the levels of campylobacter in the food chain and lessen the incidence of human poisoning.
Liz Redmond, Veterinary Director and Head of Food Hygiene Policy at the Food Standards Agency, said: “There is no one magic bullet to solve the problem of campylobacter, but a better understanding of the science will allow us to work out which combination of solutions are best for the UK.
“This is the first time such a multi-agency research strategy has been agreed, with clear joined-up objectives aimed at delivering a more coherent evidence base targeting better food security.”
Operations Director Perry Leeks says: “It is great to see that leading organisations have joined forces to conduct research into this problem and try to improve the situation.
“However, there are measures that we can all take to improve the safety of our food. If your job means that you prepare, handle or serve food you should ensure that you have the necessary training. We offer a range of food hygiene courses, from awareness level to the CIEH-accredited Level 2 in Food Safety in Catering. All of the courses discuss food poisoning and the causes and growth of bacteria. Delegates are taught the proper measures to take to prevent contamination of food and can be confident in serving safe food as a result.”
For further information, please call us today.
The strategy is being coordinated by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Scottish Government and the FSA. It is the first time that all of these organisations have joined together to tackle the problem.
The government recently announced their intention to retain the FSA after making several changes. The Department of Health is now responsible for nutrition policy in England, while Defra is responsible for country-of-origin labelling, other types of food labelling not related to safety, and food composition policies in England. The FSA, however, will maintain its crucial food safety role.
The realigned FSA has now joined forces with other public funders of food safety research in the UK to investigate the common food bug campylobacter. This follows its partnership with BBSRC, Defra and the Scottish Government in the multi-agency Global Food Security programme, which identifies research into the provision of safe food as a priority.
Figures suggest that around 65% of raw shop-bought chicken is contaminated with campylobacter and, although correct cooking will kill the bug, it still accounts for over 300,000 cases of food poisoning every year in the UK. Around 15,000 of these cases are serious enough to require hospitalisation.
Although leading experts agree that there is no conclusive solution to this problem, the new strategy aims to develop a range of mechanisms that will significantly reduce the levels of campylobacter in the food chain and lessen the incidence of human poisoning.
Liz Redmond, Veterinary Director and Head of Food Hygiene Policy at the Food Standards Agency, said: “There is no one magic bullet to solve the problem of campylobacter, but a better understanding of the science will allow us to work out which combination of solutions are best for the UK.
“This is the first time such a multi-agency research strategy has been agreed, with clear joined-up objectives aimed at delivering a more coherent evidence base targeting better food security.”
Operations Director Perry Leeks says: “It is great to see that leading organisations have joined forces to conduct research into this problem and try to improve the situation.
“However, there are measures that we can all take to improve the safety of our food. If your job means that you prepare, handle or serve food you should ensure that you have the necessary training. We offer a range of food hygiene courses, from awareness level to the CIEH-accredited Level 2 in Food Safety in Catering. All of the courses discuss food poisoning and the causes and growth of bacteria. Delegates are taught the proper measures to take to prevent contamination of food and can be confident in serving safe food as a result.”
For further information, please call us today.
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