Until recently, the detailed results of samples taken by local authority food sampling officers were only available locally, making it difficult for the Agency to monitor national and regional trends. To overcome this problem, we are rolling out a food sampling surveillance system (FSS).
This project, currently in its final stages, was initially developed by Food Standards Agency Scotland in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland to provide a standardised data capture, storage, querying and reporting functionality for the microbiological and chemical analysis of food samples. This surveillance system is now fully operational for microbiological and chemical food samples in Scotland and is now being rolled-out across the UK over three years.
The collection and collation of food sampling data was achieved by designing, piloting and subsequently implementing a computer-based data collection system that provides complete and consistent data for sampling information and analytical results. The resultant data are held in the central database managed by Health Protection Scotland on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.
This is the third full year that the system has been properly in operation in Scotland. Partner organisations are being encouraged to make use of this resource in determining a more risk-based approach to their sampling programme at a local level.
This database allows food and feed sampling officers to record their samples and results via this system. FSS UK is therefore able to collect validated sample data across Britain and Northern Ireland for food and animal feeds for enforcement authorities, and we can use this resource to determine a more risk-based approach to sampling programmes at all levels.
The FSS will add value to existing sampling programmes and allow comparison of local, regional and national data resulting in a more co-ordinated sampling approach. It's proving to be a valuable tool for targeting research and surveillance priorities, relating to the safety, quality and nutritional content of foods – and will help to improve food law enforcement.