Hazards

Hazard Identification - Microcystins in Fish

Microcystins are the most commonly reported cyanobacterial toxins worldwide and the most studied.

Background - Microcystins in Fish

Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland was affected by a cyanobacterial bloom in Summer-Autumn 2023. The cyanobacteria present included Microcystis spp. and Anabaena spp. (DAERA, 2023).

References - Microcystins in Fish

References used in this Rapid Risk Assessment on microcystins in the edible flesh of fish caught from Lough Neagh

Key sources of uncertainty - Microcystins in Fish

Key sources of uncertainty regarding the samples of fish, timings, and viscera

Food additives

Different food additives and advice on regulations and the safety of additives in food.

Norovirus

What you can do to reduce the risk of becoming ill and spreading Norovirus.

Keeping food safe on a picnic

How to make sure the food you take on a picnic stays fresh and safe to eat.

Radioactivity in food

How we assess and regulate levels of radioactivity in food.

Hepatitis E

What you can do to reduce the risk of becoming ill due to Hepatitis E

Arsenic in rice

Advice on safe levels of arsenic in rice and rice milk.

Acrylamide

Information on the risks of acrylamide and how you can reduce the chances of being harmed by it.

Food safety after a flood - consumer advice

How to prepare your food safely in the event of a flood in the home as a consumer or have home-grown fruit and vegetables.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance and the steps to take to prevent the spread of resistant microorganisms.

BPA in plastic

What bisphenol A (BPA) is and the research and evidence that supports our understanding of BPA.

Irradiated food

Irradiation of food is a practice which eliminates bacteria that may lead to food poisoning. This page details the irradiation process and how it is not harmful to consumers.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

What Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is and the controls we implement to prevent food from being contaminated by it.

Miracle Mineral Solution and Sodium chlorite solutions

Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) and Sodium chlorite solutions, their danger to health and what the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) are doing to prevent them being sold and or consumed.

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP)

The dangers of DNP and the National Food Crime Unit's role in reducing the health risk to the public.

Lead-shot game

Consuming lead is harmful, health experts advise to minimise lead consumption as much as possible. Anyone who eats lead-shot game should be aware of the risks posed by consuming large amounts of lead, especially children and pregnant women.

PATH-SAFE Newsletter September 2024

PATH-SAFE is a Shared Outcomes Fund (SOF) research programme which aims to pilot a national surveillance programme for foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Policy Response to Norovirus Strategic Risk Assessment

Policy response to the conclusions of the strategic risk assessment into norovirus in oysters and next steps to be taken.

Acrylamide and Furans Survey Summary

The FSA commissioned a rolling programme of surveys on Acrylamide and Furans in a range of UK foods bought in July-August of 2020 and 2021. The results from this survey do not increase our concern about the risk to human health.

Qualitative assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 to human health through food exposures to deer in the UK: Annex 1

Qualitative assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 to human health through food exposures to deer in the UK: Annex 1

Qualitative assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 to human health through food exposures to deer in the UK: References

Qualitative assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 to human health through food exposures to deer in the UK: References.

Qualitative assessment of the risk of SARS-CoV-2 to human health through food exposures to deer in the UK: Risk characterisation

This risk assessment was performed assuming a worst-case scenario where SARS-CoV-2 is circulating in the UK deer population.