ACMSF publishes review of viruses in the food chain

Wednesday 25 Mar 2015 @ 12:20
Food Standards Agency

The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) has published its extensive review of viruses in the food chain.

The ACMSF, set up a group to revisit the issue of foodborne viruses in light of developments in this area. The final report considered the most important viruses associated with foodborne infections - norovirus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis E.

The report makes a number of recommendations for government departments, including the need for more research in certain areas, and for clear advice for consumers, for example on cooking shellfish and pork products and information on washing leafy green vegetables and soft fruit. The government will respond in due course when the recommendations have been considered in detail.

Professor Sarah O’Brien, Chair of the ACMSF, said: 'Until recently it has been difficult to assess accurately the impact of foodborne viruses on public health. However, significant advances in our ability to detect viruses in food, coupled with up- to-date estimates of the burden of illness, highlighted in the ACMSF’s latest update, show us that viruses are very important, preventable causes of foodborne illness.'

Channel website: https://www.food.gov.uk/

Share this article

Latest News from
Food Standards Agency

FSA’s flagship survey shows food affordability concerns have risen

10/04/2024 15:05:00

The latest wave of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Food and You 2 survey, conducted between April and July 2023, shows that respondents’ concerns over food affordability continued to rise to the highest level since the survey began

Consultation launched on proposed reforms to the regulated products authorisation process

04/04/2024 10:25:00

The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are seeking views on two proposed changes to the way we authorise regulated products.

FSA successfully prosecutes abattoir for serious breaches of food safety

19/03/2024 14:10:00

An abattoir in Greater Manchester has been ordered to pay substantial fines after being convicted of eleven food safety charges.

FSA and FSS call for immediate action to address vet workforce challenges

14/03/2024 10:25:00

FSA Chief Executive Emily Miles gave evidence to the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) recently (12 March 2024) setting out the urgent need to address the shortage of vets and, together with FSS, highlighting the need for action to significantly improve recruitment and retention of Official Veterinarians across the UK.

Food Standards Agency confirms fish caught from Lough Neagh is safe to eat

08/03/2024 09:20:00

Testing finds fish from Lough Neagh safe to eat as the FSA lifts precautionary food safety advice for recreational anglers.

FSA Board meeting papers published for March 2024

07/03/2024 14:10:00

The agenda and papers for the March 2024 Board meeting have been published.

FSA Scientific Advisory Committees welcome 20 new members

06/03/2024 12:20:00

The Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Professor Susan Jebb has announced the appointment of 20 new independent experts as members of the FSA’s Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs). This is made up of 19 full members, and 1 Chairperson.

FSA launches campaign highlighting risk of food labelled as vegan to people with allergies

06/03/2024 10:25:00

The campaign comes as new research released by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that 62% of people who react to animal-based products, or who buy for someone who is, are confident that products labelled ‘Vegan’ are safe to eat, which is incorrect and may be putting them at risk.

Website feedback survey 2024

04/03/2024 09:15:00

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions about how we could improve our website? If so, we want to hear from you!

WIREDGOV