Minutes of Food Standards Sub Committee: 19 September 2006

Monday 20 August 2007

Held in Room 9, Pullar House, 35 Kinoull Street, Perth, Scotland.

Attendees

Paul Bradley, Lothian and Borders Food Liaison Group (Chair)
John Bell, North of Scotland Food Liaison Group
Jervis Browne, East of Scotland Food Liaison Group
Jim Dixon, Perth and Kinross Council
Stuart Joyce, Public Analyst, Glasgow City Council
George Mair, West of Scotland Food Liaison Group
Jacqui McElhiney, Senior Scientific Advisor, Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland
Sandra Howard, FSA Scotland (Secretariat)

Agenda item 1: Welcome and apologies

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that apologies had been received from Lynn Cree, Environmental Health Advisor, Health Protection Scotland (HPS), and Tom Reid, Consultant Microbiologist, Aberdeen.

Agenda item 2: Minutes of last Food Standards Sub Committee (FSSC) meeting held 16 May 2006
The minutes were agreed as a true record.

Agenda item 3: Matters arising

Trade guidance on food supplements (agenda item 3: Matters arising, paragraph 1 - 21 March 2006 minutes)

John Bell reminded the Committee that he had volunteered to work with FSA Scotland colleagues on this issue. Jacqui McElhiney agreed to identify the new FSA Scotland contact and forward their contact details to John Bell.
Action: Jacqui McElhiney

Research Working Group (agenda item 3: Matters arising, paragraph 2 - 16 May 2006 minutes)
The Committee discussed the use of the terms 'formal' and 'nformal' for describing microbiological samples in Scotland and the definitions for these terms that had been circulated for inclusion in the FSSnet guidance and the new Code of Practice Guidance.

On the whole, the Committee was satisfied with the definitions provided for these terms. However, some members raised concerns that these definitions would allow single-part samples to be described as formal, when the code of practice required multi-part sampling. It was agreed that the Committee would review these definitions at a later date, and include any further revisions when the Practice Guidance is up for review in 2007.

Ideas for FSSC initiatives (agenda item 3: Matters arising, paragraph 3 - 16 May 2006 minutes)
Jacqui McElhiney confirmed that she had received further information from Jim Dixon on the case of Campylobacter food poisoning and that the FSA Scotland were investigating further.

WS17 - Radioactivity in venison and venison-based products (agenda item 2: Minutes of last FSSC meeting (21 March 2006), paragraph 2 - 16 May 2006 minutes)
Jacqui McElhiney confirmed, in Lynn Cree's absence that the next FSS Strategic Group meeting was scheduled for 31 October 2006 and that the export of the radioactive samples data will be discussed at this meeting.
Action: Lynn Cree

Ideas for FSSC initiatives (agenda item 12: Ideas for FSSC initiatives, paragraph 2 - 16 May 2006 minutes)
Jim Dixon confirmed that no comments had been received regarding the new Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee (SFELC) work plan, which had been drawn up by FSA.

Agenda item 4: Research Working Group (RWG)
The Committee discussed the circulated RWG minutes and Jacqui McElhiney provided a brief update on the RWG.

She highlighted that the RWG had identified two possible National Survey options for using the Food Surveillance System UK nutritional survey data. The National Surveys suggested were Nutrient Specification for Manufactured Products Supplied to Schools and Signposting. She also raised concerns, which had been highlighted by FSA Scotland Nutritionists regarding the nutrient analysis methods. The Committee discussed this issue, in particular fibre analysis and portion sizes. It was agreed that FSA Scotland should forward details to Stuart Joyce who would investigate further.
Action: FSA Scotland

Jacqui McElhiney also informed the Committee that Heather Peace from FSA Scotland was going to be giving a presentation entitled 'Current thinking on Balanced Diet' to the Association of Public Analysts (APA) Conference in Aberdeen on Friday, 29 September 2006.

Agenda item 5: Food Surveillance System (FSS)
Jacqui McElhiney confirmed in Lynn Cree's absence that the next FSS Strategic Group Meeting was scheduled for 31 October 2006 and that the issue of adding the private water sampling into the FSS would be raised at this meeting.
Action: Lynn Cree

The Committee also discussed the training day organised by HPS for Scottish Councils on 5 July 2006 at MacDiarmid Park and all agreed that it was useful. George Mair also informed the Committee that East and South Ayrshire were using the new software and it appears to be working well.

Agenda item 6: Survey programme
Paul Bradley provided the Committee with an update on the on-going survey programme and agreed to distribute an updated survey programme table with this minute.

The Committee discussed the 2006/2007 survey programme and re-iterated that the pass and fail criteria for all surveys should be clearly stipulated on future survey protocols.

The Committee also agreed the following action points:

SF11 - Microbiological Quality of Pates and Smoked Products
The Committee agreed that Paul Bradley would write and circulate the protocol for this survey.
Action: Paul Bradley

SF12 MSG in Food from Chinese Takeaways and Restaurants Survey
As agreed at the last meeting, Paul Bradley confirmed that he had written and circulated the protocol for this survey.

SF13 - Sugar in Foods Aimed at Diabetics
Jacqui McElhiney informed the Committee on the current FSA policy on diabetic foods. Both the Agency and Diabetes UK do not recommend special diabetic foods, but favour a healthy eating approach to control the disease.

The Committee also noted that it was unclear how many products aimed at diabetics were available for this survey. It was therefore agreed to put this survey on hold for the moment.

SF14 - The Committee agreed to consider a possible Nutrient Specification for Manufactured Products Supplied to Schools survey.
Jacqui McElhiney agreed to work with FSA Scotland colleagues to prepare a Nutritional Survey proposal for the Committee's consideration.
Action: Jacqui McElhiney

LS11 - Allergens causing anaphylactic reactions (tree nuts/peanuts/milk) in smaller/independent catering establishments.
The Committee discussed this survey and felt the survey should be more focused due to limited resources and the huge product range. The Committee agreed that Paul Bradley would inform Food Sampling Co-ordination Working Group that some Scottish local authorities may decide to participate and they would contact them direct.
Action: Paul Bradley

LS12 - Food Supplements (types to be defined) Standards and Irradiation
The Committee noted that no further information was available for this survey.

NS11 - Fat and Salt Profile of Aberdeen Rolls
John Bell agreed to forward a copy of the Survey protocol to Jacqui McElhiney who felt that her FSA Scotland Nutrition colleagues would be very interested in this survey.
Action: John Bell

WS18 - Methyl Bromide in Lettuce
Stuart Joyce reported that the draft report would be discussed at the Food Liaison Group tomorrow.

Labelling of Pre-Packed Meat Products
At this stage George Mair also highlighted an issue regarding the labelling of pre-packed meat products. The Committee acknowledged that there was some inconsistencies and agreed to discuss at the next meeting.
Action: All

SF9 - Fat and Salt in Low Fat Sandwiches
Stuart Joyce briefed the Committee on this survey and agreed to complete a brief report.
Action: Stuart Joyce

SF10 - Microbiological Quality of Lettuce used in Catering Premises
The Committee agreed that Paul Bradley would liaise with HPS to obtain the data and write a report.
Action: Paul Bradley

Agenda item 7: European Union (EU) Microbiological Criteria for Foodstuffs Regulations
As agreed at the last meeting, the Committee had sent examples of different premises to Jacqui McElhiney and she confirmed that she had provided advice on sampling requirements regarding the interpretation of Annex 1, Chapter 3.2 - routine sampling of minced meat preparations.

The Committee also agreed that they all had been enlightened by the new Microbiological Criteria Regulations presentation in Perth.

The Committee also discussed the correct microbiological criteria for ice-cream prepared by machine in cafes and restaurants. After some discussion the Committee agreed that the highest microbiological standard (end of manufacturing process) would be applied.

Agenda item 8: Food Sampling Co-ordination Working Group (FSCWG)
Paul Bradley briefed the Committee on the FSCWG Meeting that he attended on 9 June 2006.

In particular, he highlighted that the group was now chaired by Wendy Martin (Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, LACORS) and that meetings would be held twice a year (November and May).

He also confirmed that he had circulated notes of the meeting and agreed to circulate the Durham County Council paper regarding their project on sampling of food bought via the internet.
Action: Paul Bradley

Agenda item 9: Business from Food Liaison Groups (FLGs)
The Committee raised no specific issues under this agenda item.

Agenda item 10: Sampling imported food
The Committee raised no specific issues under this agenda item.

Agenda item 11: Sharing food standards advice for consumers, enforcers and trade
Paul Bradley informed the Committee that he still had information sheets from various sources, which he will share and look at any gaps in knowledge.
Action: Paul Bradley

Agenda item 12: Ideas for FSSC initiatives
Jim Dixon highlighted alternative enforcement strategies, reclassifying some businesses into the low risk premises category. However, it was noted that this new strategy hinges on the Code of Practice Scoring System. Jim Dixon highlighted a project being carried out within the East of Scotland FLG aiming to give guidance on consistency of scoring. It was agreed that this may form the basis of national guidance endorsed by the Committee.

The particular example of the phrase 'Complex Menus' was highlighted, with the need for a definition of a 'Complex Menu' from the FSA.
Action: FSA Scotland

Jim Dixon also agreed to circulate a copy of the 'Food Safety Officers AGM Presentation on Food Standards Inspections in Caterers' mentioned in the last minutes to all the Committee members. The presentation provides guidance to officers on how to make a scoring decision and may assist in trying to get consistent scoring.
Action: Jim Dixon

Jacqui McElhiney mentioned that revised guidance on microbiological guidance was under discussion.

Jacqui McElhiney also mentioned the Enforcement Guidance Working Group - development of micro-criteria that had been set up by FSA. The Committee noted that John Waddell and Andrew Mackie were on the group and that Jacqui McElhiney had attended the steering group with Bill Adamson from FSA Scotland. Jacqui McElhiney asked if there should be a FSSC Representative on this Working Group. Jim Dixon asked if the SFELC Microbiologist was on the working group. Jacqui McElhiney informed the Committee that another meeting was scheduled for October, and would be chaired by David Alexander. Jim Dixon agreed to raise this matter with FSA Scotland at the next SFELC meeting.
Action: Jim Dixon

Agenda item 13: Any other closing business
Paul Bradley asked everybody to consider the new Code of Practice and the Practice Guidance with a view of discussing their effect on Food Standards at the next meeting.
Action: All

Agenda item 14: Date of next meeting
The Committee agreed that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, 16 November 2006 at 10:30am in Room 9, Pullar House, Perth.