The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) attributed the increase to growing food systems complexity driven by global supply chains, cross-border distribution, and online marketplaces.
UKHSA said the relatively stable number of STEC notifications in 2025 marked a departure from the steady annual increases observed since 2021, when larger outbreaks contributed substantially to case counts.
Overall, 72 percent of targeted surveillance samples were deemed satisfactory. FSA flagged imported, niche products, like Dubai-style chocolates, South Asian snacks, and ashwagandha supplements, as especially problematic.
The resources were produced through the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Program and cover hygiene requirements; identity, production, and microbiology; product applications; and novel food taste trials.
Based on the findings, researchers recommended targeted food safety messaging for older adults that raises awareness of age-related susceptibility to foodborne illness and the potential severity of infection, and acknowledges the effects of health, financial, and environmental realities on food safety practices.
According to the ruling, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) included certain costs in its meat controls hourly rate and enforcement rate that were outside the scope of permissible charges under the applicable official controls legislation.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that the number of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in England remained high or increased in 2025, while listeriosis cases stayed stable from the previous year.
Campylobacter is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the UK, most frequently linked to contaminated chicken. The UK Food Standards Agency conducted a scientific assessment to consider possible future actions for reducing foodborne campylobacteriosis.
The “Future of Food Regulation” initiative will explore several reforms, such as a new, data-informed approach to regulating large food businesses and proposals to make the Food Hygiene Rating display mandatory in England.
