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Surveillance Sampling Programme

Surveillance Sampling Programme - Project Outline

England and Wales specific

Based on FSA and OL intelligence a number of key sampling areas of interest were identified and developed into sampling and analysis groups.

Last updated: 24 June 2024
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Last updated: 24 June 2024
See all updates

Purpose and Scope

Based on FSA and OL intelligence a number of key sampling areas of interest were identified and developed into sampling and analysis groups. A range of means were used to identify commodities for sampling including FSA surveillance tools, horizon scanning and policy and scientific expertise.

A targeted shopping basket approach for sampling was also designed to run alongside this years targeted surveillance sampling programme. These commodities had been identified as frequently purchased foods for which there were known previous risks (such as authenticity issues) as well as some additional commonly consumed foods such as bread and milk and therefore important to have base line intelligence on.

The project aimed to provide representative surveillance across England and Wales. All samples were purchased by the OLs from businesses selling to the general public either in store or online. 

The samples were divided between the OLs for analysis according to the analytical capabilities of each laboratory. Each OL used analytical methods that are routinely employed for enforcement purposes and reported the samples against appropriate legislation for the food product and the tests undertaken.

The HSS project team worked in partnership with the FSA throughout the project to respond to any emerging issues and allow the project scope to be reviewed as the wider food sampling landscape evolved.

Sampling Priorities

A total of 32 commodities were identified as sampling priorities. Of these, 19 were grouped as surveillance and 13 as basket of food commodities.

Surveillance Commodities

Table 1: Surveillance Commodities and Analysis

 

Commodity

Commodity

Category

 

Hazard or area to be tested

 

Analysis

BBQ / marinaded single species meat Meat Authenticity PCR for 7 species SQ banded (sheep, pork, beef, horse, goat, turkey & chicken)
Bio-based FCMs (melamine formaldehyde or alternatives incorporating bio material e.g. bamboo) Food contact materials Contaminants Formaldehyde by acetic acid simulation followed by colourimetry
Black pepper         Herbs and spices   Authenticity Contaminants  Microscopy
Aflatoxin by HPLC
Cereal product i.e. breakfast cereals      
        
Grain Contaminant: Unauthorised ingredient 
Composition
Colours quantitative by HPLC
Melamine SPE/HPLC with UV detection
Milk by ELISA
Mycotoxins - DON & ZON by HPLC
Cadmium by ICP 
Chilli           Herbs and spices   Authenticity Contaminants Microscopy
Aflatoxin by HPLC
Ochratoxin A by HPLC
Sudan Dyes by HPLC
Salmon 
50% composite, 50% salmon pieces            
Meat  Authenticity Fish species by PCR-RFLP. Salmon
Garlic powder/puree           Herbs and spices Allergens  Peanut by ELISA
Ginger             Herbs and spices Contaminants Aflatoxin / Ochratoxin A by HPLC
Herbal supplements         Supplements   Contaminants   Metals testing by ICP or AAS
Paprika
        
   
Herbs and spices

Authenticity

Contaminant 

Microscopy
Aflatoxin by HPLC
Ochratoxin A by HPLC
Sudan Dyes by HPLC
Premium / artisan Gin             Alcohol Composition
Contaminants
Alcohol / Methanol by GC
Leafy vegetables             Fresh produce Contaminants Lead, cadmium, mercury & arsenic by ICP or AAS
Quinoa             Grain Contaminants Cadmium and lead by ICP or AAS
Speciality meats (Goat, Game, exotic)             Meat Authenticity DNA Sequencing - all species including rare
Vodka        
    
Alcohol

Composition

Contaminants

Alcohol / Methanol  by GC
Soya latte sampled directly from coffee shops             Free from Allergens Milk by ELISA
Wheat Flour             Grain Allergens Mustard by ELISA
Wheat products (wheat germ, durum wheat, rye grain, rye flakes)          Grain Contaminants   Cadmium by ICP

Basket of Foods

Table 2: Basket of Food Commodities and Analysis

Commodity           Commodity Category Hazard or area to be tested  Analysis
Basmati rice             Grain Authenticity Basmati varieties by PCR micro satellite
Bread           Grain   Allergens Soya by ELISA
Milk by ELISA
Sesame by ELISA
Cheese           Dairy  Authenticity  Fat, fat in dry matter, milk fat (butyric acid)
Species DNA by PCR
Dairy Free From        Free From Allergens   Milk by ELISA
Gluten Free From           Free From  Allergens  Gluten by ELISA
Milk            Dairy  Composition Fresh milk fat content
Olive oil            Oil Authenticity Extinction by solvent dissolution and UV, peroxide value by fat extraction, solvent dissolution and titrimetry, and fat profile by esterification and GC
Orange Juice             Soft drink Composition SO2, added colours, BRIX, Compliance against FIR
Oregano             Herbs & spices Authenticity, Contaminants Microscopy
Aflatoxin by HPLC
Metals by ICP or AAS
Ochratoxin A by HPLC
Pasta            Grain  Authenticity Non - Durum wheat - ELISA
Determination of common wheat and durum wheat
Peanut free from           Free from Allergens   Peanut by ELISA
Turmeric            Herbs & spices  Authenticity, Contaminants Microscopy
Aflatoxin by HPLC
Ochratoxin A by HPLC
Metals by ICP or AAS
Artificial colours
Lead chromate by ICP
Vegan products            Free from  Allergens Milk by ELISA