Hazards & pathogens

Five arrested as part of FSA food crime investigation

FSA’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) finds unsafe and potentially illegal meat in vans.

The FSA and FSS remind higher-risk consumers on the risks of listeria associated with eating cold-smoked and cured fish

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) remind pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system to avoid eating ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish because of the risk of listeria.

Urgent Allergy Advice: Mustard Ingredients Contaminated with Peanuts

The FSA is advising people who have a peanut allergy to avoid consuming foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder or mustard flour because they may have been contaminated with peanuts.

FSA and UKHSA warn of the possible presence of E-coli in various Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland, (FSS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are warning the public not to eat four Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese which has been recalled because they may be contaminated with a specific type of E.coli bacteria called Shiga toxin producing E. coli, also known as STEC or VTEC.

FSA alerts consumers on salmonella and Polish poultry

Following a rise in cases of Salmonella linked to poultry products imported from Poland, the FSA is reminding consumers of its safe handling and cooking advice.

‘Not suitable for under-4s’: New industry guidance issued on glycerol in slush-ice drinks

The FSA has issued new voluntary industry guidance on glycerol in slush-ice drinks, advising that they should not be sold to children four years of age and under.

Notice to retailers: Plastic containers or utensils containing bamboo

Businesses are being told that they should not be selling plastic containers or utensils which contain bamboo and other plant-based materials, as the FSA launches a call for evidence on their safety

Notification of a recall of a small number of human breast milk products

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is working with Trading Standards to investigate how human breast milk products made by NeoKare Nutrition Limited contained elevated levels of lead. The Department of Health and Social Care, UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, NHS Wales and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are also supporting the FSA in their response.

Consumers warned about recalled smoked fish products linked to Listeria outbreak

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are warning consumers about specific ready-to-eat smoked fish products from Lidl linked to an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes.

FSA publishes new research on the survival of coronavirus on food and packaging

The Food Standards Agency has today published research into the length of time coronavirus can survive on the surface of food and packaging.

‘Don’t take the risk’: The FSA, FSS and UKHSA issue reminder that a range of Kinder egg products and Schoko-Bon’s should not be eaten this Easter weekend

As we enter the bank holiday weekend, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are strongly reminding people that a range of Kinder Egg products and Schoko-Bon’s should not be eaten.

Advice to reptile owners amid Salmonella outbreak linked to feeder rodents

The FSA is urging reptile owners who purchase certain feeder rodents for their pets to take extra precautions and always wash their hands to avoid becoming ill with salmonellosis.

FSA issues advice to consumers not to eat several pork scratching products linked to salmonella poisoning

Following a product recall, advice to consumers not to eat several pork scratching products linked to salmonella poisoning.

Report into the sources of human Campylobacter infection published

The Food Standards Agency has today published a study to further determine the principal sources of this foodborne disease.

Business guidance

Guidance for Food Businesses in Northern Ireland

Here you’ll find everything you need to run a food business in Northern Ireland. We’ve provided links to allergen and dietary information, regulatory and food hygiene advice, healthy catering guidance - and so much more. Your NI food business journey starts here.

Raising awareness and mitigation of the potential risk of mycotoxins in animal feed

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) would like to raise awareness of the potential adverse effects of mycotoxins in animal feedstuffs.

E. coli cross-contamination guidance

How to control and reduce the risk of E. coli O157 cross-contamination in your business.

Vacuum packaging

How to vacuum pack your chilled food products safely as a business, manufacturer or retailer.

Chemical contaminants

We are responsible for making sure that chemicals are not present in food at levels that would be of concern. We carry out research and surveillance and using that information, we can enforce controls to prevent chemical contaminants entering the food chain.