SAGB CONFERENCE May 2012

1. Shellfish and the FSA
Linden Jack
Head of Food Hygiene Policy Team
Hygiene and Microbiology Division
Food Standards Agency, UK

2. Shellfish and the FSA
• Algal Toxins Testing
– MBA
– ASP in scallops
• Cadmium in Crab
• Norovirus
– Foodbourne Disease Strategy
– EFSA opinions
• Classification review
• EU activities
– Equivalency with the US
– FVO Audit
– LBM requirements

3. Algal toxin testing – Mouse Bioassay
• Completed long term objective to replace the MBA in UK
shellfish monitoring programme with alternative chemical
methods
• Culmination of a long term FSA funded research programme
• From 1 May all commercial species monitored using HPLC
(PSP) or LC-MS (DSP)
• HPLC was introduced for PSP testing in mussels (2008)
cockles, razors and hard clams (2010) and remaining
commercial species (2011)
• LC-MS introduced for DSP testing 8 major species (July 2011)
and remaining commercial species (May 2012)

4. Algal Toxins - ASP
• Enforcement Authority and harvesters have requested
clarification of legal requirements for testing scallops
• Whole or shucked wild scallops can only be placed on the
market if they meets the appropriate health standards (ASP
<20mg domoic acid per kg)
• Likely levels of ASP in whole scallops will have a major impact
on sales.
• EU legislation agreed in 2002 provision for higher level in whole
animal if FBOs can demonstrate levels in edible parts meet
standard. Not implemented in the UK.
• Reviewing position to see if there is a practical and
proportionate solution.
• Consider potential risks e.g. Cross contamination during
shucking and use ‘inedible’ parts

5. Cadmium in Crab
• No plans to introduce a limit for Cadmium in brown crab meat or
prohibit sale
• EU Commission issued an information note and recommended
MS provide consumption advice to limit exposure
• Data supplied by industry and in the literature insufficient for a
robust risk assessment
• FSA funding a ‘snapshot’ survey to ensure consumption advice
is based on current and robust evidence
• Around 300 samples brown crab meat and brown crab meat
products during summer 2012
• Aim to issue advice by November 2012
• Will be an opportunity for industry to comment on advice before
publication

6. Norovirus
• Work on norovirus is co-ordinated under the Agency’s
Foodborne Disease Strategy
• Expecting to establish 3 work streams:
– Food handlers
– Fresh produce
– Shellfish
• Require more robust and scientific knowledge on norovirus
– Literature review on distinguishing infectious and non infectious norovirus
– EU project (VITAL) on identifying routes of contamination and potential
controls for all foods
– Study on contribution of the whole food chain, including food handlers on
UK acquired norovirus infections (3 yr project due to start during 2012)
– Transmission routes of norovirus infection (complete 12/13)
– Research call issued for literature review on survival and persistence of
norovirus in foods and on food contact surfaces (complete early 13/14)
• Research workshop in late 2012

7. Norvirus - Shellfish
• Published research on prevalence of Norovirus in UK shellfish
harvesting areas
• Need to understand more about the levels of norovirus in
shellfish when they reach the consumer, infectious dose and
quantifying the effectiveness of depuration
• Learn more about the active management programmes
developed by harvesters
• Consider recommendations from the EFSA opinions on
foodborne viruses and norovirus in shellfish

8. Norovirus – EFSA recommendations
(Foodborne viruses)
• Focus on prevention rather than removal of contamination
• Microbiological criteria for classification of harvesting areas and
end product for high risk bivalve molluscs (to be consumed raw)
• Prohibition zones around sewage discharges
• more stringent E.coli criteria for class B harvesting areas
• Use of pollution alert procedures
• Post harvest treatments validated
• Further training of food handlers specifically focussing on
viruses to reduce risk of contamination of ready-to-eat foods
Several UK partners already working together to address
these recommendations e.g. defra, FSA, Seafish, water
companies, harvesters

9. Norovirus – EFSA recommendations
(Norovirus in Oysters)
• Controls should focus on avoiding contamination either by
preventing contamination of production areas or restricting
harvesting from contaminated areas
• Establish an acceptable limit for norovirus in oysters and testing
to verify compliance should be considered
• Harvesters should consider incorporating Norovirus testing
within HACCP plans
• Further information needed on levels of norovirus in production
areas and batches to develop risk based sampling strategies
• EU baseline survey of norovirus contamination in oysters
• Further research needed to establish relationship between
norovirus levels (PCR) and impact on human health and to
optimise effectiveness depuration and relaying
Again work already underway, particularly by harvesters
developing their own risk management strategies and
acceptable working limits for NoV

10. Classification review
• New species and beds in existing production areas are
classified more quickly (completed In Jan 2011)
• Protocol for use of harvesters own results due to be finalised by
end of May. Initiate a 12 month pilot .
• Commission research(12/13) to investigate the potential of use
indicator shellfish species to classify shellfish production areas.
• Development of sanitary surveys as an active management
some initial work done and will be taken forward 12/13.
• Delays associated with completion of sanitary surveys – will be
taken forward 12/13
• Developing policy on handling of high results – work has started
and expect to be completed this year.
Had major plans to develop classification process and will
continue this work. Developments at EU level have had a
significant impact on work but also provided clarification
on a number of issues

11. EU activities – Exports to the US
• Working with Commission and other Member States to establish
equivalency agreement for trade in LBM between EU and US
• Major project with wider implications for trade.
• US audit (partial) of UK April 2011
• Shift in emphasis to approve individual production areas in MS
wishing to export to US as interim approach as work towards
equivalency.
• Limited interest from specific harvesters
• Nominated Class A areas with sanitary surveys to support
process which may facilitate future exports.

12. EU activities – FVO audit
• FVO inspectors audited UK in April 12
• Audit generally satisfactory but identified some issues, several
of which we are already addressing
• Initial indication that audit report will seek further information on
– Registration and approval establishments
– Actions taken when results exceed classification criteria
– Minor issue re sampling
– Biotoxin monitoring
– Notification of results
– FBOs EPT and record keeping

13. EU activities – LBM requirements
• EU WG on LBMs established and met January and March 12.
• Small number of MS with specific interest in shellfish issues
working to develop proposals for wider discussion. UK one of
main contributors.
Issues under discussion
• EU guidelines on sanitary surveys
• Revision of criteria for Class A harvesting areas and end product
microbiological criteria so they are consistent with Codex
guidelines
• Norovirus

14. Thank you for listening
Any Questions?