FSA Scotland Research and Surveillance Programmes
The Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) supports a programme of research and surveillance on food safety and diet and nutrition to inform future policy decisions in these areas. This programme ensures that specific Scottish issues are properly addressed and that the Agency's UK-wide research and surveillance programme takes full account of Scottish concerns.
The FSAS research and survey programme is funded through the Scottish Vote to improve food safety and standards within Scotland. The Scottish research portfolio is clearly and transparently linked to the aims and objectives set out in the Agency's Strategic Plan to 2010 and the FSAS Group Plan.
In addition to research projects and targeted food surveillance studies commissioned by FSAS, additional funding may be provided from FSAS to increase the numbers collected in UK surveillance projects in order to achieve more robust results for Scotland. This is assessed by FSAS on a study by study basis in relation to the Agency’s strategic objectives and the FSAS Group plan.
FSAS currently supported work in diet and nutrition
National Diet and Nutrition Survey, Scottish sample boost (N10036)
Secondary analysis of Scottish dietary data contained in the Scottish Health Survey (S14034)
Secondary analysis of Scottish dietary data contained in the Expenditure and Food Survey (S14035)
Selenium content of Scottish soil and food products (S14042)
Secondary Analysis of a survey to measure the intake of non-milk extrinsic sugars in Scottish children (S14039)
Accessing Healthy Food in Scotland: A Sentinel Mapping Study of Food Retailing – PhD (S04005)
FSAS currently supported work in food safety
Research to support the Scottish monitoring programmes for biotoxins and E.coli in shellfish (S14036, S14037, S14043,S14038, S14031)
The prevalence of pathogenic nematodes in Scottish fisheries (S14008)
Surveillance of environmental chemical contaminants in Scottish marine and freshwater fish and shellfish (S14040, S14041)
The epidemiology of Campylobacter infection in Scotland (S01023, S14024, S14006, S14004)
Development of detection methods for sorbitol-fermenting E.coli O157 (B11013)
On-going maintenance and development of the UK Food Surveillance System in Scotland (IN1002)
UK wide surveillance and research on meat hygiene (B18025, M01049)
Chemical and radiological risks to the Scottish Food Chain (C01041, R04003)
Dissemination/communication activities
All reports of research and surveillance projects funded by FSA Scotland will be placed in the public domain when completed and peer reviewed in accordance with guidance produced by FSA UK. Additional events, such as workshops, are used where appropriate, to inform relevant stakeholder groups about specific research and surveillance projects.
Future activity
We will continue to look at FSA UK research strategies to identify emerging areas requiring Scottish sample boosts or commission additional research projects to reflect Scottish interests. Our priorities for 2008/2009 are still being assessed, and new projects may be commissioned depending on funding availability. FSAS hold seminars and workshops, during which presentations of FSAS funded projects are made, and areas for future research are discussed.
Further information
Diet and nutrition
Heather Peace, Senior Scientific Officer, Food Standards Agency Scotland
tel 01224 285142
email: heather.peace@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Food safety
Dr. Jacqui McElhiney, Senior Scientific Officer, Food Standards Agency Scotland
tel 01224 285121
email: Jacqui.McElhiney@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Find out more
Scotland - list of projects
Information about Agency-funded research projects