Science and research update

Highlights

How our science is informing safer choices

Safe handling of raw pet food - new guidance

New FSA advice on safe handling for raw pet food shows how evidence can inform practical public guidance. A recent survey of raw dog and cat food products sold in the UK found that some contained bacteria that can cause illness in people, including Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. The advice reminds pet owners that good hygiene when storing, defrosting and preparing raw pet food can help reduce risks to themselves and their families.

Metagenomics adds a new layer to the IID3 project

A new blog post highlights how the third study of infectious intestinal disease in the UK (IID3) is using metagenomics to build a fuller picture of infectious intestinal disease. By analysing all the genetic material in a sample, metagenomics can help researchers explore a wider range of bacteria, viruses and parasites, alongside antimicrobial resistance markers and broader gut microbial communities. By pairing traditional diagnostics with new genomic methods, IID3 is helping build a more nuanced understanding of foodborne illness in the UK, highlighting what we have been missing and shaping where we look next.

PATH-SAFE one year on

A recent update marks one year since the Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (PATH-SAFE) project concluded and looks at how its legacy is helping shape the Food Surveillance Programme, which builds on PATH‑SAFE to coordinate food, animal and environmental surveillance across the UK.

What is emerging in the future food system

Anticipating the future of food

A new report from the FSA and Food Standards Scotland looks at food innovations that could reach UK consumers over the next decade, from controlled environment agriculture and precision fermentation to cell-cultivated foods and edible insects. The report is part of a broader effort to ensure the UK remains a trusted, innovation friendly environment for companies developing new food technologies. 

New behavioural insights from Food and You 2

Recent Food and You 2 findings offer another perspective on change in the food system. For example, three-quarters of respondents said they had made at least one change to their diet for health reasons in the previous 12 months, while more than half had made at least one change for sustainability reasons.

Food and You 2 tracks changes in consumer trust, behaviours and risks around food safety over time, providing consistent national evidence to inform regulation, enforcement and guidance.

What people know and think about ultra-processed foods

Another blog post looks at what a recent UKRI public dialogue adds to discussions about ultra-processed foods. It explores where people want clearer evidence, where scientific uncertainty remains, and how this fits with the FSA’s role in food regulation and consumer interests.

How experts are shaping FSA science

Independent expert advice

Independent expert advice is a key part of how the FSA uses science. A new case study features Dr Fahad Ahmed, an associate member of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF), and highlights how researchers can contribute evidence and expertise to policy discussions through Science Advisory Committee membership.

Questions shaping FSA science

For British Science Week, FSA scientists shared some of the questions that drive their work, from foodborne disease and genomics to novel proteins and emerging risks. The blog offers a snapshot of the breadth of science and evidence that supports the Agency’s work and how our researchers stay curious about the wider context of our food system.

FSA at the Balmoral Show

Meet the FSA team and learn more about our work by visiting our stand at the Balmoral Show, taking place this week 13-16 May 2026 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. 

Recent publications