The CFA Annual Report for calendar year 2025 has been published summarising key activities and aims including:
EU Listeria Regs: CFA-led Industry Listeria Group engaged with UK Government and internationally. Built industry response to Q2 EU consultation on proposed changes to criterion 1.2b in 2073/2005. 80/81 respondents expressed common concerns. Aim 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 authorities including the EC subject leads as ECFF Rapporteur. Guidance for FBOs Assuring Safety of RTE Food in Relation to L. monocytogenes and Reg 2073/2005 2nd ed developed with industry, trade and UK Government buy-in. Published in Q1 2026. Supporting European federations in their preparation for the change in law.
STEC: Engagement with UKG on O145 t5.206 outbreaks identified shortcomings with comms and standard methodology. CFA prompted creation of Food Safety Research Network’s primary strategic workstream including workshops with industry, UKG etc, focusing on improving micro methods, and helping secure future FSRN funding. CFA also working directly with molecular methods company.
RTE fresh produce: Micro Guidance for Growers (4th ed) published with buy-in of industry, major retailers, associations. Red Tractor engaged and high risk crops standards enhancement activity secured. Micro data collection extended non-Listeria dataset to >80k datapoints for benchmarking.
Brexit: CFA-led SPS Certification WG weekly sessions with UK Government /other relevant parties aiming to resolve GB-NI/EU SPS trade issues. Correspondence with Ministers and engagement with media. EHC data compiled since Jan 2020, shared with UKG and used in media comms (spokesperson) and lobbying and publicly referred to by UK Government Ministers. Supporting UK Government’s preparation for UK/EU SPS agreement negotiation. Also seeking transparency on risk categorisation data for food import rules.
Chilled Education: >4k students engaged online/face to face. 100 activity STEM hours
CFA’s priorities for 2026 cover:
- Lobby for positive change
- External engagement
- Building Knowledge
- Knowledge Transfer
- Education & Skills
Published 1/7/26