CFA and the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN) are developing a practical toolkit for sampling, testing, reporting, and actions to demonstrate due diligence in managing Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) risks in ready-to-eat foods.
Four interlinked workstreams have been established:
- Sampling (co-chaired by Karin Goodburn): refine guidance, assess existing data, identify gaps, and define data management when STEC is detected.
- Testing: catalogue current tests, engage with UKAS/HSE on certification, update terminology, provide interpretation tools, and outline an “ideal” test toolkit with R&D priorities.
- Reporting: standardise laboratory reports, define reporting triggers, establish pathways, and improve data-sharing between regulators, producers, and industry.
- Actions (co-chaired by CFA Technical Group Chair Dr Nicola Wilson): collect current practices, identify stakeholder needs, set interpretative criteria, and develop decision trees, guidance, and case studies.
Cross-cutting priorities include standardised terminology, better data sharing, and integration into health systems. CFA’s MGG4 is expected to play a central role.
The project’s workstreams were established as one of the outcomes of the November 2024 CFA/FSRN/Government Advancing STEC Diagnostics Workshop, the Report of which is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16928584.
A further workshop is being planned for this autumn to report on and further progress Workstream activities i. A further workshop is planned for this autumn to include food businesses, trade associations, government, testing providers, and academia where progress will be reported on and next steps agreed, including R&D on methodology.
September 2025