Rapid Risk Assessment: What is the risk from microcystins in the edible flesh of fish caught from Lough Neagh?
Risk question: What is the risk from microcystins in the edible flesh of fish caught from Lough Neagh?
What is the impact of chemical hazards (including nanomaterials and microplastics) in food and feed and how can we reduce it?
Chemicals are present in foods and feeds. Some are added intentionally, for example food additives, whilst others are present due to contamination, either from the environment, processes or malicious intent.
Undertaking research on chemicals which may be present in food and feed allows FSA risk assessors to evaluate the potential risk to health that could arise from exposure to these chemicals.
The aim of this Area of Research Interest (ARI) is to support and improve the FSA’s evidence base to keep the consumer safe and ensure that food is what it says it is. Research under this ARI, including surveys and other research projects, will provide FSA scientists and policymakers with current and reliable information on chemicals in food and feed.
Surveys help us to determine the levels of chemicals of interest present in food and feed which are available on the UK market. This allows more reliable exposure evaluation in risk assessments to be undertaken and, if necessary, risk management to be put in place to protect the consumer. Surveys can also identify any patterns in the data and whether there are any chemicals, food or situations that may need closer scrutiny.
Research to improve our understanding of chemicals and how they interact with our bodies to allows us to make more informed decisions regarding the safety of food and feed. Other projects may be undertaken which would provide FSA scientists, and our independent expert advisors, with a better understanding of methodologies used for assessment of chemical safety and how these may be used in future regulation of chemicals in food.
FSA projects do not undertake safety testing of regulated products, the responsibility of which lies with the manufacturer.
Research projects related to the programme
Nitrate Surveillance Monitoring Program Annual report (April 2022 to March 2023)
The annual report provides the results and analysis of year three of the five-year survey.
Product Survey of Cat Food for Mycotoxins
The Food Standards Agency commissioned Fera Science Limited to carry out a survey to obtain occurrence data for a range of mycotoxins in 20 dry and 20 wet cat food samples at two sampling time points.
Nitrate Surveillance Monitoring Program (Annual Report May 2021 - March 2022)
This Annual Report presents findings on levels of nitrate in lettuce, spinach and rocket between the 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.
Analysis of Metal Levels in Bronze-cut Pasta on the UK Market
An analysis of levels of various metals in Italian dried bronze-cut pasta.
Validation of Multispectral Imaging (MSI) technology for food and feed analysis
This project provides validated methods for specific prioritised sampling scenarios, guidance on general MSI validation activities, and recommendations on technology transfer and feasibility of developing additional MSI related resources (e.g. an MSI database).
Occurrence of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Food
Samples of tea, herbal infusions, honey and plant-based supplements were analysed for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Overall, the levels were low and similar to other published reports. Exposure to PAs should be minimised as they can be harmful to human health.
Bio-Based Materials for Use in Food Contact Applications
This report contains a review of evidence relating to potential risks and other unintended consequences of replacing oil-based plastic food packaging and other food contact materials with bio-based food contact materials (BBFCMs). It covers data from a range of sources including scientific literature and grey literature (e.g. government, not-for-profit organisation, academic and industry reports).
Brominated Flame Retardants in food, baby foods and infant formulae
Reports looking at the presence of brominated flame retardants in food, baby foods and instant formulae.
Contaminants in duck and other speciality eggs
The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of a range of regulated and emerging organic environmental contaminants in duck and other non-hen eggs that are available for sale in the UK
Occurrence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Research into the occurrence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in chocolate, banana chips and herbs, spices, supplements and tea.
Monitoring of chlorate in fruit and vegetables
A report measuring chlorate levels in fruit and vegetables.
Total diet study: metals and other elements
The Total Diet Study (TDS) represents the average UK diet and is used to estimate the dietary exposure of the general UK population to a range of chemicals in food and make assessments on the safety and/or nutritional quality of food.
Consumer understanding of food risk: chemicals (January 2016)
The overall aim of this research was to explore consumer awareness, understanding, and perceived risks associated with chemicals in food and how best to communicate the risks attached to these.
Geochemical lead contamination of cattle, sheep and free range chickens on UK farms
Meat and offal (liver and kidney) were collected at slaughter from 112 farm animals predominantly from areas of high geochemical lead.
Levels of N-nitroso compounds (NOC) in UK consumed foods
The study investigated a range of foods to identify and quantify the level of N-nitroso compounds (NOC) formed during the manufacturing process. Measurement of apparent total nitroso compounds (ATNC) was used to screen for the presence of NOC and methodology developed to try and identify and quantity the NOC present. The levels of NOC found were low and unlikely to be a risk to health.
Analyses of lead levels in tea
Lead is a naturally occurring chemical contaminant that is present in soil, water and the atmosphere, including as the result of human activities in the past. Due to its presence in the environment, lead is likely to occur at low levels in a wide range of foods including tea. Plants including tea plants can uptake lead via their roots and by deposition on foliage. This is not a new risk and people are exposed to lead in their diet from many sources. It is not possible to avoid exposure to lead from food.
Analyses of cadmium, dioxins, furans and biphenyls in meat, liver and kidney from cattle
The FSA is working with partners in the UK and the EU to reduce cadmium levels in food where possible. The FSA undertakes and publishes various studies of cadmium levels in food and agrees appropriate legislation to promote food safety.
Monitoring of tropane alkaloids in food
A total of 338 UK samples of cereal based products, vegetables, oilseeds and teas, and 17 single grain flours sampled directly at mills were analysed for tropane alkaloids (TAs). TAs were detected at low levels in 18% of the samples.
Infant Metals Survey
A survey of metals and other elements in commercial infant foods, infant formula and non-infant specific foods
Validation of LC-MS method for determining of lipophilic toxins in shellfish species typically tested in UK
In support of the Agency’s commitment to reduce reliance on animal tests and improve risk management of contaminated shellfish, this study validates the LC-MS/MS method, making it a suitable chemical alternative for use in the UK Official Biotoxins Monitoring Programme for the analysis of marine lipophilic toxins in mussels, cockles, oysters, scallops, razor clams and hard clams.
Validation of HPLC method for scallops, clams and razors, and Pacific and Native oysters
In response to an ever increasing need for alternative quantitative testing methods for shellfish, the Agency has commissioned research to develop and validate suitable chemical methods for the routine and official determination of shellfish biotoxins known to cause human illness.
Summary of investigations conducted at Cefas into the effects of oyster matrix on HPLC and MBA PSP results
This confirms the validity and suitability of AOAC HPLC method 2005.06 for the analysis of PSP toxins in oysters, recommending it as a far more accurate replacement for the oyster MBA test in the UK Official Biotoxins Monitoring Programme.