UK Food Surveillance System (UKFSS)

Scottish Food Enforcement Officers Association Training Day

28th April 2010

FSA remains committed to UKFSSFSA remains committed to UKFSS

• Enhances communications between LAs and laboratories in relation to the analysis of official control samples

• Centrally held sample data, in a standardised format, easy access :

– Monitor trends– Identify emerging issues– Identify gaps in current national sampling programme– Allow more intelligence based / targeted sampling by LAs– Compare data across regions– Allow a National view of the UK LA sampling – Offers live access to data – outbreaks

Update on rollout of FSS across the UKUpdate on rollout of FSS across the UK

• Used by 29 out of the 32 councils and all partner labs in Scotland since 2005

• Over 14,000 samples submitted annually

• Remaining 3 councils on board by end of 2009 – Training workshop 5th Nov

• Now focussing on database applications - interrogation and reporting

• Research Working Group – reports to Food Standards Sub-Committee (National Survey Programme)

• Published annual data reports for 2007 and 2008 Scottish LA sampling

Scotland

• In Northern Ireland database used routinely by all 26 LAs

• Approx. 15,000 samples submitted annually since 2007 • NI Food Surveillance Committee – established in 2007

– Annual report produced using the database;– Committee made up of PAs, LAs, FSA and PHLS;– Identify trends, advice to LAs and FSANI on sampling projects; report to NIFAC

• 2008 data report under development

Update on rollout of FSS across the UKUpdate on rollout of FSS across the UK

Northern Ireland

• Still significantly behind S & NI in implementation of system (411 LAs in total)• Chemical samples only at present unless microbiological testing by PAs

England • All labs trained-now acting as ‘’hubs’’ for LA training programmes• Eurofins adapting LIMS system to accommodate UKFSS by 1st January 2010• Currently 92 (out of 179) English LAs involved in food standards work now using UKFSS

Wales• All LAs and labs have received training-implementation on-going in labs• 5 LAs now submitting samples

Update on rollout of FSS across the UKUpdate on rollout of FSS across the UK

England and Wales

• Majority of UK LAs now upgraded to FSSNet Version 6

• Improvements to website and query function (single samples and results table)

• Scottish LAs removed anonymity- 09/10 LAEMS return for UKFSS users

• FSSNetVersion 7 on schedule for release in May 2010

• This will incorporate new Outcomes Table (piloted by Scottish PAs)-will greatly improve the query/reporting facility

• Recruitment of FSA data analyst during 2009-leading on co-ordination with LAEMS and development of training packages to assist with reporting

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments

• Agency recognises that the lack of an interface from MIS providers continues to prevent LAs from experiencing true benefit of UKFSS-although more LAs choosing to use it in spite of this issue than not

• Mainly an issue for APPCIVICA (formerly FLARE) users

• APPCIVICA connector now available for purchase-allows data to be exported from FSSNet to the LA MIS via XML

• Additional solution will be available in FSSNet Version 7-this allows data to be imported from the LA MIS into FSSNet

Double EntryDouble Entry

Remaining TargetsRemaining Targets

• All E&W chemical sampling on UKFSS by August 2010

• HPA-commitment to integrate new LIMS system with UKFSS (Spring 2011)

• Integration with Port Health Management Systems

• Full integration with LAEMS into 2010/2011-link to inspection information (in the meantime FSA will offer existing users reporting of sampling statistics)

• Roll-out completed by end of 2010 and UKFSS moves to FSA custody by January 2011

• Dedicated FSA IT team will ensure smooth transition for users

• Information for Food and Veterinary Office missions

• Outbreak/incident investigations

• Background data on L.monocytogenes in rte foods to inform EU negotiations

• Inform development of research projects e.g. foods associated with Campylobacter/Salmonella contamination

• Obtaining nutritional data on regional foodstuffs to supplement existing data

• Development of annual LA sampling programmes at local and national levels

Experience from Scotland on using the data in the systemExperience from Scotland on using the data in the system

2008 Data –published at end of 2009

A Report by the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee’s

Research Working Group

2008 Sampling Figures2008 Sampling Figures

Number of

samples taken Number of samples giving an

overall satisfactory result

Microbiological 6792 5234

Chemical 6431 5074

Total 13,223 10,308

• 10% decrease in sampling between 2007 and 2008

• Fewer samples tested for pathogens in 2008

Retailers47%

Manufacturers/processors19%

Restaurants and other Caterers

24%Materials and Articles Manufacturers and Suppliers

Packers

Slaughterhouses

Distributors/Transporters

Importers/Exporters

Primary Producers

Manufacturers mainly selling by retail

Restaurants and other Caterers

Manufacturers/processors

Retailers

Types of Premises SampledTypes of Premises Sampled

0

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samp

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8

Not Satisfactory

Satisfactory

Microbiological

0

200

400

600

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1000

1200

1400

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Not Satisfactory

Satisfactory

Microbiological

Microbiological SamplingMicrobiological Sampling

•6792 samples tested in total

•Only 10 samples found to contain pathogens at levels exceeding microcriteria/HPA guideline limits

•Listeria monocytogenese detected at 10-100 cfu/g in mayonnaise and cream based products in ‘egg and egg products’ and ‘cakes and confectionary’ categories

•Over 99% of all unsatisfactory microbiological samples (1558) failed due to hygiene indicators and/or high TVCs

Breakdown of the 10 samples found to contain unsatisfactory levels of pathogenBreakdown of the 10 samples found to contain unsatisfactory levels of pathogen

PathogenNumber of samples tested

Samples failed for unsatisfactory levels of

pathogenDescription of failed samples

Salmonella 1271 2Mild chilli powderGround coriander

Campylobacter 220 0 -

E.coli O157 56 0 -

Listeria monocytogenes 4198 3Blue sheep’s cheese

Smoked salmonEgg and cress sandwich

Clostridium perfringens 3803 5

Roast gammonRoast beef

Prawn cocktailDoner kebab

Tuna mayonnaise sandwich

Types of foods that failed due to high levels of hygiene indicators and/or TVCsTypes of foods that failed due to high levels of hygiene indicators and/or TVCs

Food CategoryTotal no. samples

tested

No. of samples failed for hygiene indicators and/or

ACC

Meat and Meat Products 1483 480

Prepared Dishes 1734 397

Dairy products 902 115

Others 483 76

Ice-cream and Desserts 456 106

Fish and Shellfish 411 116

Fruit and Vegetables 315 87

Cakes and Confectionery 276 73

Herbs and Spices 140 20

Drinks 125 36

Chemical TestingChemical Testing

•6431 samples tested

•Over 55% of the 1357 unsatisfactory chemical samples failed for labelling issues

•Levels of Southampton Six colours were elevated in ethnic confectionery and in Indian take-aways/restaurant meals (sunset yellow most frequently detected at elevated levels)

•Approx. 6% failure rate for SO2 in sausages and burgers

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Allergen

Name

Ingredients List

False/Misleading Label

Statutory Declaration

Declaration Quid

Number of unsatisfactory prepacked samples

Prepared Dishes

Meat and Meat Products

Fish and Shellfish

Cakes and Confectionery

Bakery Products & Cereal

Others

56% of unsatisfactory chemical samples failed for labelling issues in 200856% of unsatisfactory chemical samples failed for labelling issues in 2008

Colour Food description

Combined Colours (above limit of 300 mg/kg)

Barfi (yellow Indian sweet) Gingerbread house ornament Ladoo (yellow Indian sweet) Jalebi (orange Indian sweet)

Sunset Yellow (above individual limit of 50 mg/kg)

Jelly bracelets Julabi (x3) Assorted children’s sweets Christmas mallows

Colour Level (mg/kg) Food description Ponceau 4R (E124) 295 Spiced Onion Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) 223 Chicken Tikka Masala 441 Spiced Onion 497 Rogan Josh Sauce 510 Tikka Masala Sauce 725 Chicken Pakora 1063 Chicken Pakora 1080 Chicken Pakora 1110 Chicken Pakora 1659 Rogan Josh Sauce

In cakes and confectionery

In prepared dishes

Southampton Six ColoursSouthampton Six Colours

Main conclusions from 2008 UKFSS dataMain conclusions from 2008 UKFSS data

• Overall reduction in sampling rates compared to 2007

• Only very small number samples contained pathogenic bacteria but small data sets for

some pathogens of interest

• On-going issues with labelling and QUID declarations-particularly for meat/meat products and prepared dishes

• Excess use of colours in some ethnic sweets and Indian take-aways

• Continued illegal use of sulphur dioxide preservative in mince and meat products

• SF22- Southampton Six survey of colours in cakes and biscuits from craft bakers-joint survey with NI

• SF23-Salt levels of craft baked bread products in Scotland (SF23)

• Discussions between FSSC and FSAS on development of guidance to improve food standards compliance in catering premises

Current FSSC initiatives informed by UKFSSCurrent FSSC initiatives informed by UKFSS

• Need for nationally accepted minimum microbiological examination suites for different food samples

• Data gaps in relation to important FB pathogens-could microbiological testing be more effectively targeted to risk?

• Need for future initiatives to reduce labelling failures

• Possible surveys for 2010:

- L.monocytogenes in egg/mayonnaise products and cream cakes- Allergen labelling especially in sandwiches and bakery products- Monitoring of ‘Southampton Six’ colour voluntary withdrawal- Detection of illegal colours esp. in imported foods

Points for future discussionPoints for future discussion

Questions?