Hearty and healthy greetings from FSA e-News

Wednesday 21 December 2011

The holiday season is in full swing, and we want to ensure your festive break is as healthy as possible. With this in mind, the December/January edition of FSA e-News features a wealth of food safety and hygiene information.

During the latter part of this year, a number of food safety issues occurred – botulism, norovirus and campylobacter. We highlight our guidance on how you can reduce your risk of being affected.

We also feature a round-up of news on E.coli. The Agency's guidance document on controlling E.coli O157 cross-contamination has an updated question and answer factsheet, clarifying the guidance and providing new information. And, in Scotland, scientific experts from across the globe gathered to discuss the best ways of improving knowledge about E.coli, so it can be better controlled.

The Welsh Government has embraced wholeheartedly the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme, by proposing that the display of food hygiene ratings be mandatory. It has launched a consultation that runs until spring.

Our food safety expertise has even spread as far as China, with Alan Curran, head of the Agency’s imports division, doing his bit for East/West relations. On a food safety mission to China, Alan met with high level counterparts to discuss monitoring and surveillance, risk management, traceability and food testing, and to share the UK’s expertise in food safety.

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