The CFA Annual Report for calendar year 2024 has been published summarising key activities and aims including:

EU Listeria micro criteria: Leading Industry Listeria Group engaged with UKG and internationally. Built evidence base and common messaging for industry response to April-May EU consultation on proposed changes to criterion 1.2b in 2073/2005. 79/81 respondents expressed common concerns. Aiming for application of law to retain current effective food safety measures including UK best practice. Briefings, webinars, presentations to members, wider industry, enforcers, international conferences and direct liaison with UKG with this aim.

STEC: Engagement with UKG on O145 t5.206 outbreaks identified shortcomings with communications and standard methodology: complexity, timescales, availability and interpretation of non-confirmed data. Issues paper written with SRUC, shared with UKG, trade and Food Safety Research Network (CFA on Innovation Board), with strategic workshop 12/12/24 bringing industry, trade, UKG, agencies together identifying necessary steps for resolution including improved methodology. CFA WhatsApp group established for information exchange. CFA action plan being progressed.

RTE fresh produce: risk assessment mindmap and water/crop sampling decision tree developed, Micro Guidance for Growers (4th ed) in production, consensus on interpretation of micro testing being pursued. Microbiological data collection continued, extending non-Listeria dataset to >18000 datapoints for benchmarking/practices assessment.

Lm Biome: CFA-developed validated micro method to improve Lm recovery and enable better assessment of microbial reduction efficacy published in Food Control July 2024 and used in CPS-funded CFA partnered project on Listex application to salad leaf. Regulatory clarity sought on biocontrol agents’ usage with POAO, engagement with Phage Innovation Network.

Brexit: Established and leading SPS Certification WG (industry, certifiers, Port Health) weekly sessions with UKG/other relevant parties resolving BTOM and WF issues. Correspondence with Ministers. EHC applications, certifier burden and costs data compiled and used in media comms (spokesperson) and lobbying. Seeking UK/EU SPS veterinary and plants agreement and transparency on risk categorisation data for food import rules to obviate EU-GB-EU and NI trade bureaucracy.

‘Brilliant’ Chilled Education: won FDF Education Initiative for an unprecedented third time.

 

CFA’s priorities for 2025 cover:

• Education/skills
• Building knowledge
• Lobbying for positive change
• External engagement
• Knowledge transfer

Please add this PDF to the CFA website and in the Quicklinks widget on the home screen, with a NIB in News noting that the AGM was held on 30 April, Dr Gary McMahon of Pilgrims Europe being re-elected as Chair.