An analysis has revealed that self-reported illness appears to have increased when restrictions related to the Coronavirus pandemic were lifted.
The findings come from two reports published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which examined how COVID-19 prevention measures and associated changes in behavior impacted infectious intestinal disease (IID).
IID
Continue Reading FSA looks into the impact of COVID-19 measures on illness reports
The number of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria infections have gone up in Ireland, according to 2022 data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting rates for giardiasis, listeriosis, norovirus, rotavirus, salmonellosis, shigellosis, and toxoplasmosis in Ireland decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. Still, rates
Continue Reading Most major pathogens see an increase in Ireland
There was no major difference in the number of foodborne infections reported before and during the Coronavirus pandemic, according to researchers in Brazil.
The study looked at data on notifications of foodborne disease in Brazil in 2018 and 2019, defined as before, and in 2020 and 2021, classed as during the
Continue Reading Limited impact of pandemic on foodborne illness in Brazil
According to an analysis of pathogens during the coronavirus pandemic, Listeria and E. coli infections returned to expected levels quicker than Salmonella cases.
Researchers looked at the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak response on gastrointestinal infection trends using surveillance data from six national UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) coordinated systems.
Continue Reading Researchers show pathogen-specific impact of COVID-19 measures
A limited review of remote audits in England has revealed a mixed reaction from local authorities.
The study evaluated remote assessments for Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) re-rating inspections in England. The Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) COVID-19 recovery plan enabled local authorities to conduct an FHRS re-inspection under certain conditions
Continue Reading Mixed views from local authorities on remote assessments
Remote audits have a place in ensuring food safety but should not replace onsite visits, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Based on case studies and an OECD survey, the report examines the cost, benefits and effectiveness of remote audits. For case studies
Continue Reading OECD analysis sets out pros and cons of remote audits
The rate of food hygiene scores displayed online is very low, according to a Food Standards Agency (FSA) project.
FSA wants to make display of Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) ratings mandatory for businesses online. Physical display is required in Wales and Northern Ireland but not in England.
A sample
Continue Reading FSA projects cover online hygiene ratings and COVID-19 recovery
It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a 25 percent drop in E. coli O157 cases in England in 2020 compared to 2019, according to numbers recently released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
In 2020, 1,419 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were reported
Continue Reading England and Wales report decline in E. coli infections for 2020
A lack of resources and the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact the ability to do official controls, according to a report published by the European Commission.
The document covers EU countries’ official controls and the EU Commission’s control activities in 2021.
There were 16.9 million sites within the scope of
Continue Reading COVID-19 and resource gap impact on food safety official controls in Europe
Reported cases of Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli in Canada fell during the COVID-19 pandemic but Listeria infections stayed around the same level, according to a study.
Total illnesses in Canada declined in 2020 compared with historical averages and was at the lowest level in 23 years of monitoring such
Continue Reading Study finds COVID-19 impacted reports of most pathogens in Canada