Microbiological safety
The FSA promotes the microbiological safety of food throughout the food chain. It is responsible for the strategy for reducing foodborne illness, promoting a hazard analysis-based approach to food safety management and providing guidance for producers, retailers, caterers and the general public. It also deals with microbiological food hazards and outbreaks of foodborne disease.
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Campylobacter
Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK and it was responsible for an estimated 321,000 cases in England and Wales alone in 2008, resulting in more than 15,000 hospitalisations, 76 deaths and an estimated cost to the economy of more than £583m.
Cleaner farms, better flocks
As part of the Agency's foodborne disease target and strategy to control campylobacter in UK-produced chickens, a campaign was launched in January 2004 to help improve hygiene measures on broiler farms and ensure that best practices are followed at all times.
Flooding: food safety advice
Flood water can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other waste, from drains or the surrounding area, and so could be contaminated with harmful bacteria or chemicals. Although, the water is usually very diluted and so the risks of getting ill are low. Following simple hygiene practices should be enough to avoid getting ill from flood water.
Foodborne disease strategy
Food safety is the Agency’s top priority and the reduction of foodborne disease is a key objective to ensuring food safety.
Labelling powdered infant formula as 'non-sterile'
The Agency has updated its website with details of a meeting held in January 2007 to discuss issues relating to the labelling of powdered infant formula milk as 'non-sterile'.
Listeria
Listeriosis, the foodborne illness caused by listeria, is relatively rare but listeria causes more deaths from food poisoning in the UK than other foodborne bugs. Vulnerable groups of the population are at increased risk. The Agency aims to reduce the number of cases of listeriosis in the UK by the year 2015 through the Listeria Risk Management Programme.
Managing farm manures for food safety guidance
Food Standards Agency guidance on managing farm manures to help reduce the number of consumers that get food poisoning from ready-to-eat crops.
Measuring foodborne illness levels
The Food Standards Agency monitor trends in foodborne disease caused by key pathogenic (disease-causing) bugs in the UK. These trends are monitored through laboratory-confirmed cases of illness.