Minutes of Food Standards Sub Committee: 15 January 2009

Paul Bradley – Lothian and Borders Food Liaison Group (Chair)
John Bell – North of Scotland Food Liaison Group
Stuart Joyce – Public Analyst, Glasgow Scientific Services
John Sleith – East of Scotland Food Liaison Group
George Mair – West of Scotland Food Liaison Group
Mary Lawton – Consumer Focus Scotland (formerly Scottish Consumer Council)
Andrew Mackie – Public Analyst, Edinburgh
Jacqui McElhiney – Senior Scientific Advisor, FSA in Scotland
Catherine Ferro – FSA in Scotland (Secretariat)
Jim Dixon – Perth and Kinross Council

Welcome and Apologies
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies had been received by the following members:

Tom Reid – Consultant Microbiologist, Aberdeen
Lynn Cree – Environmental Health Advisor, Health Protection Scotland (HPS)
Jane Couper – Tayside Scientific Services

John Sleith was welcomed to the FSSC on his first attendance. In addition thanks were given to George Mair for his input into the committee, at this his last meeting.

Minutes of Last FSSC Meeting (18 September 2008)
A correction was made to the minutes. On p4 it was noted there are three councils still not participating in FSS, as opposed to the four originally mentioned. The minutes were then agreed as a true record.

Matters Arising
Actions from 18.09.08
1. Jacqui McElhiney to finalise the Research Working Group (RWG) reports and distribute to FSSC members for comment. – ongoing
2. FSAS to continue to encourage non-participating councils to use Food Surveillance System (FSS). – ongoing
3. Paul Bradley to draft a letter in response to International Glutamate Information Service and circulate to FSSC prior to the next SFELC meeting – completed (see below)
4. FSSC members to confirm to Jacqui McElhiney their interpretation of the regulations with regard to quantum satis levels of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in condiments and sauces. – completed
5. Jacqui McElhiney to clarify correct interpretation of the regulations with FSA in Scotland policy and report to FSSC members. – completed
6. FSSC members to provide comments to Paul Bradley by 22 September, on the most effective means for communicating food standards advice to the catering sector. – completed
7. Paul Bradley to amend draft paper on “Sharing Food Standards Advice for Consumers, Enforcers and Trade – Deemed to Satisfy Initiative” and send to SFELC. – completed
8. Jacqui McElhiney to contact FSA London with regard to the delay in the publication of the Code of Practice Review guidance. – completed
9. George Mair, for West of Scotland Food Liaison Group (FLG), to clarify the enquiry from South Lanarkshire Council and provide further details to the RWG. – ongoing
10. FSSC members to make comment on the 4 Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)survey suggestions. To be discussed at next FSSC on 20 November 2008. – completed
11. Catherine Ferro to find details of discussion around - the letter on Infant Formulae, from Tayside NHS, dated 26 September 2007 - in previous minutes and to find if there was an FSA in Scotland response from colleagues. – completed (see below)

Actions from 24.07.08
3. Jacqui McElhiney to provide Tom Reid with further information on the recent FSA meeting on bottled waters. – completed
6. Paul Bradley to amend and re-circulate the SF11&16 report. – completed
11. Stuart Joyce to forward Jacqui McElhiney the email also sent to Mark Woolf in FSA HQ. – completed
Jacqui McElhiney to find what information FSA holds on mechanically recovered meat (MRM) producers. – completed
FLGs - to ask if there are producers of MRM in their area. – completed

Actions from 22.05.08
1. All members will submit their top five FSS queries to Paul. – completed
10. Jacqui McElhiney to circulate the 2007 FSS sampling data to the committee. – completed

Actions from 13.03.08 Notes
1. Paul Bradley to contact Trading Standards Initiatives to discuss costings for “Environmental Health only” use. – ongoing

18/09/08 Action 3
The Committee discussed Paul Bradley’s draft response to International Glutamate Information Service (IGIS) and the subsequent suggested amendment circulated by Jacqui McElhiney.

The majority of the committee were satisfied with the interpretation outlined in Paul Bradley’s draft. It was noted that FSA had received legal advice as outlined in Jacqui McElhiney’s amendment.

After considerable debate, where all concerned agreed that the main issue was a lack of understanding/education amongst caterers, it was agreed that Paul Bradley would prepare a further draft attempting to consolidate the views of the Committee members and that this would be approved by e-mail after the meeting.
Action: Paul Bradley to redraft response and recirculate for approval

18/09/08 Action 11
Paul Bradley advised that the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) website detailed a web-based central contact point for collecting/actioning enquiries regarding infant formula labelling/claims.
Action: Paul Bradley to circulate details of website

Jacqui McElhiney updated the committee with the latest from the last RWG, which took place on 28 November 2008 in St Magnus House. The group were continuing to work on the 2007 data report, which is expected to be completed and signed off at the next meeting on 13 February.

The committee noted that the continued lack of tangible progress in the integration of FSS and Environmental Health (EH) software systems would cause increasing problems with the introduction of Local Authority Enforcement Monitoring System.

Lynn Cree had sent her apologies for this meeting, but agreed to give an update in advance of the next meeting, by e-mail. It was agreed that Paul Bradley would discuss concerns over integration with EH software systems with Lynn Cree.
Action: Lynn Cree to email the committee an update of the latest on the FSS prior to the next meeting on 12 March 2009

It was noted that LACORS appeared to be attempting to obtain sample information from samplers and labs over and above that stored on FSS.
Action: Paul Bradley to contact LACORS and emphasise that all survey information should only be obtained via FSS

The survey programme was discussed. The following action points were agreed.

Action: John Bell to ensure sample volume requirements for Aberdeen lab are communicated to relevant samplers for survey SF21
Action: Paul Bradley/Catherine Ferro to identify recommendations of previous reports which might influence choice of surveys for 2009/10
Action: Jacqui McElhiney to invite a member of the FSA Scotland, policy labelling team to attend a committee meeting and discuss EU information for consumers legislation

Paul Bradley reported that there had been no meeting of FSCWG since the last FSSC meeting.

Labelling of donner kebabs
Should a kebab be formed of lamb or mutton, or other meats? It was suggested that this issue should be revisited when the LACORS report is published and decide if this would apply to Scotland.

Consumer Focus Scotland report on 'Use of Scottish Origin on Fresh and Frozen Meat'
Is this something for the FSSC to consider? The report came about due to new research carried out under the EU labelling review. It was also noted one of the work streams of the Scottish Government, National Food Policy is looking at this issue, Mary Lawton will update the committee as appropriate.
Mary Lawton – to update the committee on progress of the work carried out by the National Food Policy work streams on 'Scottish' and 'Scotch'.

Strategy to improve food standards compliance in catering
Paul Bradley explained that this paper was agreed at SFELC and is now to be an ongoing project for the Committee.

Jacqui McElhiney explained that FSA were keen to work with the committee to progress this project and that initial work might concentrate on MSG and colours in foods.

The committee agreed to support this initiative.

Consultation on revised Health Protection Agency guidelines for assessing the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat foods
Due to lack of time it was not possible to discuss this item fully. The Public Analyst labs would be responding directly.

Materials in contact with foods
Jacqui McElhiney enquired what experience LAs had with manufacturers of materials in contact with food. In particular, whether written declarations of materials were being seen. No-one in attendance had experience with these premises but it was agreed Jacquis request would be cascaded through the FLGs.
Action: FLGs to contact Jacqui McElhiney directly

The next meeting will be held on 12 March 2009 at 10:30am at Pullar House, Perth