CFA’s Annual Report for the calendar year 2023 has been published summarising key activities and aims including:
- EU Listeria micro criteria: Leading Industry Listeria Group engaged with UKG and internationally building evidence base in readiness for EU consultation on potential changes to 2073/2005 requirements. Published guidance on effective environmental sampling and data usage, on action on detection of Lm/Lpp and evidence base Aiming for EU law to retain current effective food safety measures including UK best practice. Briefings, webinars, in-person presentations to members, wider industry, enforcers and UKG.
- Brexit: Established and leading SPS Certification WG (industry, certifiers, Port Health) engaging with UKG resolving issues and supporting eCertification development. Tracking and reporting on EHC applications, certifier burden and costs. Input into BTOM, WF and Trade and Business Commission seeking transparency on risk categorisation for food import rules and a UK/EU SPS veterinary and plants agreement to obviate EU-GB-EU trade bureaucracy.
- Lm Biome: Developed validated micro method to improve Lm recovery and enable better assessment of microbial reduction efficacy, being used in CPS-funded project with CEBAS (ending 2024) with CFA
as an IKC partner. Method paper submitted by CFA for publication in peer reviewed journal and made available to members. Regulatory clarity sought on biocontrol agents. - Vac Pack/MAP: ACMSF’s Report on Botulinum Neurotoxin-Producing Clostridia reflects much of CFA input and recognises SUSSLE as an exemplar of multidisciplinary research. FSA 2020 guidance needs to be reviewed and amended to correct lethal rate table error, include toxin testing as part of any challenge testing, and remove non-science-based rules. No timetable yet from FSA for this work, which CFA is seeking.
- Raw RTE fresh produce Spot Buying and Extreme Weather Protocol Guidance published
- B. cereus and chilled food including produce: technical paper and statement published.
CFA’s priorities for 2023 cover:
- Education/skills
- Building knowledge
- Lobbying for positive change
- External engagement
- Knowledge transfer