The UK Government is proposing the addition of several foodborne and waterborne viruses, bacteria, and parasites to the list of notifiable causative agents under the Health Protection Notification Regulations, for which laboratories testing human samples are required to report positive test results.
Weather conditions associated with climate change are exacerbating the spread of Salmonella and Campylobacter, suggest researchers at the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
To assist interpretation of test results generated by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratories, UKHSA has published new guidelines for assessing the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods placed on the market.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation for the market authorization of additives, flavorings, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for use in food and feed; two novel foods; and one food contact (FCM) material. Additionally, approvals for eight flavorings have not been renewed.
The latest UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) has been published by the UK Government. A trend noted in the report is that, despite Campylobacter causing the most foodborne illnesses, outbreak detection is hindered by the lack of a required national typing scheme.
The latest UK-Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance report shows that levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens from livestock and poultry are declining, and observes a 10-year-low in the number of antibiotics sold for use in food-producing animals.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has opened submissions for companies to express interest in a sandbox program to help ensure the safety of cell-cultivated foods.
UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) surveillance of food purchased at retail in 2023–2024
found 87 percent of samples to be compliant with food safety and authenticity standards. Undeclared allergens, adulteration, mislabeling, and other noncompliances were reported.
