Guidance for Point of Contact Technologies
Final report outlining the activities undertaken and rationale behind the development of the guidelines.
How can the FSA continue to be an innovative and effective regulator when developing and implementing food regulations?
The FSA aims to be a modern and accountable regulator. We must be innovative and be able to develop and take advantage of new approaches to support the work we do. This includes adopting technological advances, digital tools and data analytics. It is also about using social research to gain a greater insight into the behaviour of consumers and the food businesses that supply them, to help ensure effective implementation.
The FSA has two key regulatory change programmes underway: Achieving Business Compliance (ABC) and Operations Transformation Programme (OTP). ABC focuses more on retailers and others selling directly to the public, whereas OTP focuses earlier in the food chain, on slaughterhouses, manufacturers and producers.
- the Achieving Business Compliance programme seeks to deliver a vision for a future regulatory system with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, that is fit for purpose and capable of managing future risks
- the Operations Transformation Programme is modernising the way we deliver Official Controls in the meat, dairy and wine sectors. We want to make it easier for businesses to do the right thing.
This Area of Research Interest (ARI) aims to look at how the FSA can remain at the cutting-edge when developing and implementing food regulations by providing the evidence to underpin these two key programmes.
Related to our desire to be a cutting-edge regulator, this ARI covers the exploration of technological innovations that will help achieve this. We support the evaluation and testing of new and emerging technologies – including novel detection and diagnostic methods, data analytics and digital innovations - where we see they have the potential to revolutionise how traditional surveillance and regulation is undertaken.
Important
Research projects related to the programme
School Food Standards Compliance Pilot: Discovery and Feasibility Research
The Department for Education and the Food Standards Agency with support from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities commissioned this research to support the School Food Standards Compliance Pilot.
Alternatives to single-use plastics in food packaging and production
This rapid evidence assessment aimed to develop an understanding of the alternatives to single-use plastics in food packaging and production in terms of their risks and opportunities, as well as potential future developments.
Evaluation of the use of remote assessments for FHRS requested re-inspections in England
The study looked to understand experiences of remote assessment, how it was being used, and its benefits and limitations among LAs and food business operators (FBOs). It also looked at barriers and facilitators to remote assessment by LAs.
Evaluation of the Food Standards pilot
This report presents the findings from the evaluation of the pilot programme that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has completed to test a proposed food standards delivery model as part of the Achieving Business Compliance (ABC) programme.
FSA and Official Controls: Research with Food Business Operators
This research study collected the views of Food Business Operators themselves and it is intended to support the rollout of the OTP programme, and the implementation of Official Controls.
The Future Delivery Model Citizen Panels: qualitative research findings
This report summarises the findings from qualitative research conducted with 77 participants from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who took part in seven reconvened workshops.
21st Century Meat Inspector project report
This project investigated how existing and new inspection technologies can be combined with advanced data analytics and incorporated into current meat inspection practices to deliver the 21st Century Meat Inspector.
Assessment comparing meat production processes in selected countries
A systematic literature review assessment comparing meat production processes in sixteen countries
Food Data Trust: A framework for information sharing
This work examines the role of information sharing in ensuring safe food production supply networks. It proposes a data trust framework that will more efficiently enable secure information sharing for the benefit of all stakeholders in the food system.
Evidence of relationship between food business hygiene compliance and measures of food safety
We have conducted research which estimates the impact of food business compliance on food safety.
The future of food recalls
Independent research assessing the effectiveness of food withdrawal and recall processes in the UK food retail sector.
Business information needs (February - March 2015)
This research aimed to understand business’ awareness of available information, perceived relevance and appeal of information, impact of materials currently used, format and channel preferences for guidance and identify any gaps in existing support and priorities for alteration.
Synthesis Report: Common insights from the Efficacy of Recalls, Regulating our Future and Transparency research reports
A synthesis report identifying cross-cutting and emerging trends across three research projects: Efficacy of Recalls (2017), Regulating our Future (2016) and Transparency: understanding public views and priorities (2017).
Modernisation of the risk rating system for food establishments in the UK
The research aimed to develop the evidence base to inform the modernisation of the intervention rating schemes set out in the Food Law Code of Practice to reflect the complex changing nature of the food industry and the changes in the socio-economic circumstances facing local authorities and help deliver the FSA strategic objectives.
To evaluate the effectiveness of independently accredited assurance schemes
The aim of this project was to research accredited assurance schemes and their effectiveness in the targeting of risk-based inspections, with particular focus on imported food controls at UK ports of entry.
Trialling a modernised poultry inspection system in UK slaughterhouses
The poultry inspection system trial aimed to explore a modernised official control system which introduced a focused approach to official control verification activity and root cause analysis of poultry processing to address food borne pathogens. Research was commissioned to assess if enhanced verification contributes to a reduction in levels of contamination and unseen microbiological hazards.
The use of a spotter initiative to assist post mortem inspection in UK slaughterhouses
We wished to examine if and how the ‘spotter initiative’ could assist official post-mortem inspection. This approach involves plant-staff flagging any abnormalities they identify during animal processing which may lead to a greater sense of ‘ownership’ of food safety amongst plant-staff.
An evaluation of food chain information (FCI) and collection and communication of inspection Results (CCIR) for all species
This review examined the value and use of food chain information (FCI) and Collection and Communication of Inspection Results (CCIR) forms. This was done in order to identify and implement possible changes, resulting in an improved system of recording information for surveillance purposes and official meat controls.
Investigation of the overall effectiveness of food sampling and surveillance in the UK by local and port health authorities
The aim of this study was to investigate how the balance has changed between routine sampling and surveillance conducted by UK Public Health Authorities (PHAs) and Local Authorities (LAs), to evaluate whether there is an increased possibility for incidents or emerging risks to go undetected at UK borders due to a decline in surveillance sampling.
Consistency in regulatory work
This programme of work was part of our efforts to achieve consistency in the delivery of official controls. Three studies investigated consistency from different angles, using different methods and kinds of data. They provide multiple insights and also demonstrate how this complex topic can be analysed from different, combined perspectives.
The potential use of food quality colourings for staining vertebral columns of cattle
This project aimed to develop a simple method of marking carcasses to enable butchery staff to identify carcasses that require vertebral column removal.
Innovation in the delivery of official controls in meat plants
A workshop was held to identify challenges, solutions and potential areas for future work in the Agri-Food sector, specifically official controls in meat establishments