The United Kingdom’s National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for food microbiology has released its annual report, detailing activities from April 2023 to March 2024. Operated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the NRL focuses on pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase-positive staphylococci, E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and antimicrobial resistance.
Key Highlights from the Report:
- Engagement with European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs): Post-Brexit, the NRL has faced limitations in attending EURL meetings. Despite these challenges, the lab participated remotely in two EURL meetings covering Proficiency Testing (PT) activities and engaged in training sessions on Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) bioinformatics and detection of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in food.
- Advisory Services: The NRL provided guidance to Official Laboratories (OLs), the FSA, and other stakeholders on various issues, including:
- Interpreting Clostridium species results from meat samples.
- Sampling methodologies.
- Salmonella typing results.
- Listeria detection protocols.
- Collaborations and Notifications: The NRL collaborated with EURLs on several fronts:
- Received an alert regarding E. coli O26 in raw fermented milk in France, which affected six individuals.
- Engaged in discussions about a potential multi-country outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni ST464, likely linked to chicken, affecting patients in at least five EU countries.
- Addressed a product warning concerning contamination in Sensititre broth, disseminating this information to relevant parties.
- Performance Assessments: The NRL participated in nine EURL proficiency tests, achieving satisfactory or good performance in six. Results for the remaining tests are pending. Additionally, all 14 OLs registered for at least one of the four tests available from the 2023 to 2024 European Food Microbiology Legislation scheme, with average performance exceeding the 70 percent threshold for follow-up action.
- Ongoing and Future Initiatives: The NRL is collaborating with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) on E. coli and Salmonella in shellfish and with Campden BRI on implementing challenge testing. Planned activities for April 2024 to March 2025 include auditing OL capabilities across the UK, conducting a literature review on antimicrobial resistance in Listeria found in food, and participating in a working group for the revised ISO 13136 on PCR detection of STEC.
These developments underscore the NRL’s commitment to maintaining high standards in food microbiology and safety, despite the challenges posed by reduced direct engagement with EU counterparts. For further details on how these findings may impact food safety practices, please contact a project manager at [email protected].
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