Food Standards Agency — FS512521 Evaluation of FSA Shellfish ‘traffic light' toxin guidance: quality

Descriptions

The Food Standards Agency in Scotland supports a programme of research and surveillance to inform its future policy decisions. This programme ensures that specific Scottish issues are properly addressed and that the Agency's UK-wide research and surveillance programme takes full account of Scottish concerns. The Scottish research portfolio is clearly and transparently linked to the aims and objectives set out in the Agency Strategy to 2015 and the Science and Evidence Strategy. This work follows a commitment made to Scottish Ministers by FSA to evaluate the quality and impact of FSA guidance on shellfish toxin risk management guidance which was issued in April 2014. This links directly to the Agency's commitment to focus on effective, risk-based and proportionate regulation and enforcement. Marine biotoxins produced by phytoplankton can accumulate in the tissues of filter feeding bivalve molluscs. If toxin containing shellfish are consumed by humans, toxin related illness can occur. Harmful algal blooms are a global problem and incidences of shellfish toxicity caused by toxin producing phytoplankton have been recorded world-wide. There have been 2 confirmed outbreaks of shellfish poisoning in the UK over the past 10 years and both have resulted from the consumption of product originating from Scotland. In both cases over 70 people reported symptoms consistent with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning or DSP, which could have been avoided had better risk management strategies been adopted. Both prior to and following the most recent DSP outbreak which occurred in 2013, discussions with local authorities and businesses strongly indicated that there was a lack of clear guidance on biotoxin risk management as well as a heavy reliance on the official control (OC) programme in determining the safety of harvested product. It was therefore considered a priority that FSAS should work together with shellfish harvesters and local authorities to develop guidance on handling the risks associated with shellfish biotoxins. During the formal consultation period (which ended in March 2014) concerns were raised about the increased levels of end product testing required by the guidance and the potential financial impact its implementation could have on smaller businesses. However there was extensive support for the underlying principles of the guidance across the sector as a whole. It was recognised that provided that sufficient, low cost toxin testing facilities are made available then any increase in direct costs would be offset by the increased consumer confidence, and therefore value associated with Scottish shellfish. Following that consultation and the introduction of the guidance in April 2014, a commitment was made that we would commission an independent evaluation in order to assess the impact the guidance has had on businesses and local authorities; alternative risk management models which may be in use; and access to technical services across Scotland. Tenders are invited to carry out the evaluation in collaboration with shellfish harvesters and processors in Scotland, as well as enforcement officers with responsibility for enforcing hygiene controls in all of the Local Authority (LA) areas involved.