Food Standards Agency in Scotland Evidence-Gathering Programmes

Estimation of food and nutrient intakes from Expenditure and Food Survey purchase data in Scotland 2001-2009 (FS424018)
The Scottish Dietary Targets (SDT), with the exception of sodium in adults and Non Milk Extrinsic Sugars (NMES) in children, can be monitored through secondary analysis of Scottish household food and eating out data in the Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS) (now known as the UK Living Costs and Food module of the Integrated Household Survey).

• population level annual trends have been published from 2001 to 2008
• differences in food and nutrient intakes by levels of deprivation and urban/rural classification are explored
• further analysis of the data has provided estimates of red meat intakes in Scotland
• the energy density of the Scottish Diet has also recently been estimated at a population level to inform the development of the Scottish Dietary Goals

A survey of diet and influences on food purchasing practices among children in Scotland 2010(FS424019)
The aim of this survey is to track progress towards the SDTs, which stipulates less than 10% of the total calories consumed should be Non Milk Extrinsic Sugars (NMES), using a food frequency questionnaire validated to measure macronutrients. This is the second survey of this type; the first survey was carried out in 2006 and published in 2008.

The 2010 survey will establish whether there has been a reduction in NMES and fat intake and will provide additional information on influences on children’s food purchasing behaviours.

Analysis of Vitamin D status in Scotland (FS424015)
The project will provide an estimation of current vitamin D status in the Scottish population:

• Blood samples taken as part of the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) are being analysed for vitamin D.
• Expected to have approximately 1,700 samples (from people aged 16 years and older).

National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), Scottish sample boost (FS426001)
The NDNS provides detailed individual data on the nutritional intake and nutritional status of Scottish adults and children to compare diet in Scotland with that of the UK.

• UK data is being collected over 4 years (2008-2012).
• Numbers are boosted in Scotland to provide detailed representative data on diet and nutritional status from 400 adults and children (from 18 months) per year.

UK Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children - Scottish boost (FS426002)
This project aims to provide detailed dietary data on Scottish infants and young children.

• Numbers in Scotland are boosted to provide detailed representative dietary intake data from 500 infants aged 4-18 months.

Measurement of trans fatty acids in fats, oils and foods obtained from takeaway establishments in areas of deprivation in Scotland (FS14002)
This project will measure trans fatty acid (TFA) levels in fats, oils and foods obtained from takeaway establishments in deprived areas of Glasgow City. The purpose of the project is to address claims that, despite recent reductions in trans fatty acid intakes in the UK population, those in the most deprived sectors of the population may still have high intakes of TFA, particularly as a result of consuming takeaway foods. This claim is based on a very small survey showing high levels of trans fats in one type of takeaway food in England. This project will address this claim by measuring a larger sample of takeaway products from deprived areas in Scotland.

Evaluating the impact of interventions for reducing campylobacter in poultry on the number of human cases in Scotland (FS421003)
This study will employ a molecular typing method to compare the types of campylobacter identified in human faecal and food and environmental samples to determine the current attribution of Scottish clinical campylobacteriosis to chicken, compared with other sources of infection. This pre-intervention baseline will provide a means by which the FSA can later assess the impact of its Campylobacter Risk Management Programme on human cases of campylobacter infection in Scotland.

Feasibility of introducing methods in the UK for reducing shedding of E.coli O157 in cattle (FS421009)
This project aims to review methods that are currently available for reducing E.coli O157 shedding in cattle. It will assess the feasibility of introducing these methods in UK farming systems as a means of mitigating the risks associated with E.coli O157 contamination in the slaughterhouse.

Consuming Lead-Shot Wild Game in Scotland: A survey of habits and behaviours of high-level consumers of lead-shot wild game meat in Scotland (FS421005)
The aim of this project is to identify high level consumers of lead-shot wild-game meat in Scotland and to investigate the consumption habits and behaviour of these consumers in order to generate meaningful data to carry out a risk assessment to assess the levels of lead to which these individuals are exposed.

Review of regulatory regimes in the wild game sector in Scotland (FS425011)
The aim of this project is to assess the regulatory framework currently operating in Scotland with a view to identifying any enforcement gaps. The study will be used to generate guidance for local authorities to facilitate a consistent, risk-based and proportionate enforcement regime for the wild game sector.

Review of control of listeria in the smoked fish sector (FS425012)
This project aims to examine the sampling and testing regimes used by manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises, of ready-to-eat foods and their approaches to controlling listeria in the food chain. It will also identify key risk areas in the processing chain and gaps in the management of these risks.

Investigation into potential natural sources of semicarbazide in honey – literature review (FS241065)
The aim of this project is to investigate whether there is any evidence for potential sources of semicarbazide (SEM) in honey and whether it may be produced by natural processes, especially in high purity heather honey.

Development and assessment of specific probes for detections of toxin producing phytoplankton species in Scottish Waters (FS240158)
This study aims to:

• Further develop the techniques required for the field application of molecular probe-based methodology for the identification and enumeration of Alexandrium tamarense in Scottish waters.
• Refine, and for the first time conduct field trials with, molecular probe based methodology for the identification and enumeration of Azadinium spinosum and other Azadinium species in Scottish waters.

Investigation into the prevalence and intensity of parasitic nematodes in commercially farmed marine fish in Scotland other than farmed Atlantic salmon (FS241054)
The primary goal of the proposed work is to improve knowledge of the prevalence and intensity of anisakine nematodes in marine farmed fish in Scottish waters. A secondary goal is, to ensure product quality and safety for the consumer and if required reasses policy needs regarding the freezing requirements for fishery products that, as a consequence of the type of product, may contain live parasites at the time of consumption.

Review of the risk management practices employed throughout the fish processing chain in relation to controlling histamine formation in at-risk fish species in Scotland (FS241055)
The aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive review of current risk management practices, in Scotland, for controlling histamine in at-risk fish species throughout the Scottish fish processing chain. The review will identify key risk areas in the whole chain (from-catch-to-fork) and any gaps in the management of these.

All reports of evidence-gathering projects funded by FSAS will be placed in the public domain on Foodbase (see link below) when completed and peer reviewed in accordance with FSA policy.

Additional events, such as workshops, are used where appropriate, to inform relevant stakeholder groups about specific evidence gathering projects.

Diet and nutrition
Heather Peace, Senior Dietary Advisor
tel: 01224 285142
email: heather.peace@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Food safety
Lorna McIvor, Scientific Advisor (Microbiological safety in food production)
tel: 01224 285162
email: lorna.mcivor@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Kasia Kazimierczak, Scientific Advisor (Chemical contaminants, fish and shellfish)
tel: 01224 285113
email: kasia.kazimierczak@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Science Governance
Anna Whyte, Head of Science Governance
tel: 01224 285119
email: anna.whyte@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk