Local Authority Collaborative Survey Programme 2007/8

The Eurofins Public Analyst Service Survey Programme for 2007/8 is now closed.

Food Surveys

APR 07 - Allergens in "Allergen–Free" Food

Survey Leader – Jeremy Wootten MChemA

The Food Labelling (Amendment No.2) (England) Regulations 2004, The Food Labelling (Amendment No.2) (Wales) Regulations 2004 and The Food Labelling (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 implement Directive 2000/13/EC. They came into force on 25th November 2004 with a transition period expiring in November 2005.

For pre-packed foods these Regulations set out, inter alia, new labelling rules on the indication of certain allergenic ingredients, if they are present in an amount that is sufficient to trigger an allergic reaction in pre-packed foods, including alcoholic drinks.

There is no specific regulatory control over "X-free" type claims where X is one of the scheduled allergens. Such claims are covered by the general prohibition on false or misleading claims. In most cases it would be regarded as unsatisfactory if any of the allergen were detectable in a food bearing such a claim. However, the claim "gluten free" is the subject of a Codex Alimentarius maximum that is currently 200 mg/kg where the claim is applied to food that has been de-glutenised. The FDA have recently proposed the following legal definition:

"Gluten-free" foods must not contain:

An ingredient that is a prohibited grain
An ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has not been processed to remove gluten
An ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain and that has been processed to remove gluten, if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten in the food
20 ppm or more gluten

The aim of the survey is to monitor the validity of "allergen-free" claims on food labels. Only the allergen that is specifically claimed to be absent will be sought.

Tests are available for any of the 12 scheduled allergens. The analysis will be directed by your public analysts and performed at the Eurofins’ laboratories in Nantes.

JUN 07 - Children’s Meals sold in Pubs and Restaurants

Survey Leader – Gary Burton MChemA

Concern has been expressed recently over the eating habits of children. Childhood obesity is on the increase and this is believed to have serious health implications for those people affected during their adult life. One strategy suggested for addressing this problem is to educate people to a healthy way of eating at a young age. Other foods aimed specifically at children such as school meals and ready meals have been the subject of earlier surveys and the data collected has been useful in persuading caterers and manufacturers to reformulate their products to contain less salt and less saturated fat.

The aim of the survey is to assess the nutrition content of meals aimed at children sold in pubs and restaurants. A comparison of the results with those recommended by the Caroline Walker trust for school lunches for 5 to 11 year olds will be made as these comprehensive guidelines give a useful standard for the nutritional requirements of children.

AUG 07 - Fish Speciation

Survey Leader – Duncan Arthur MChemA

The Fish Labelling (England) Regulations 2003 includes a list of commercial designations used in England together with the Latin designation of the species to which they refer. These commercial designations are the names prescribed by law for those species for the purposes of the Food Labelling Regulations 1996, with the proviso that, as an alternative, a name included on a list in English in corresponding Fish Labelling Regulations applying in other parts of the United Kingdom or another Member State may be used. In practice this means the lists applicable in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire.

Instances have been found, particularly in relation to imported exotic and/or relatively expensive fish, of mis-naming. This may be due to different names being used in third countries or deliberate substitution with commoner cheaper species. Examples include Butterfish and Red Snapper, and the substitution of cod with Alaska Pollack or Hoki. A similar Eurofins survey in 2004 found the species of fish to be incorrect in approximately 13% of cases with just under half of the total number of submitted samples being reported as adverse (including labelling irregularities).

The Eurofins group has expertise in speciation by DNA sequencing, which permits the verification of a wide range of fish species including the more unusual without the need for authentic specimens. Part of the mitochondrial DNA is amplified by PCR, sequenced and compared with a published database of such sequences.

OCT 07 - Plastic in contact with food

Survey Leader – Joanne Hubbard MChemA

The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) (No.2) Regulations 2006 came into force on 19th November 2006. Parallel legislation exists for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Regulations implemented harmonised EU measures contained in European Commission Directives on plastic materials and articles intended to be brought into contact with food.

They set restrictions on the use of certain monomers and additives in food plastics and also set specific migration limits for monomers and additives used in plastics which relate to a maximum quantity of a defined monomer or additive that may be transferred to a food from which the plastic material or article may come into contact. In addition they also set standards for plastics produced from bacterial fermentation.

Overall migration limits are also set by the Regulations which state that no plastic material or article shall be capable of transferring their constituents to food with which it may come into contact in quantities exceeding the appropriate limit.

The Regulations detail how the testing to ensure that food complies with the overall and specific migration limits should be undertaken.

For the purposes of the overall migration limit testing, the plastic is placed in contact with a stimulant or a number of stimulants which are used to mimic the action of an aqueous, acidic, alcoholic or fatty food in contact with the plastic. The stimulant/s is/are placed in contact with the plastic at a temperature and time related to those anticipated in the use of the plastic when in contact with food and then the stimulant/s is/are analysed to assess whether any of the plastics constituents have migrated into the stimulants and if so at what level.

The purpose of the survey is to sample a number of food contact materials and to assess whether to not they comply with the limit set for overall migration.

The analysis which is undertaken will depend on the intended use of the plastic material or article and the foods it may be used with.

Due to the large number of plastic materials and articles in contact with food and the complexity of the test methods used for the analysis the protocol for the survey has not yet been finalised and it will be available nearer to the proposed time of the survey.

DEC 07 - Fish & Chips Survey

Survey Leader – Kevin Wardle MChemA

Heart and circulatory disease is the UK's biggest killer. One in five men and one in six women die from it. Two of the risk factors for the development of the disease are high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure which in turn can be the result of too much fat and salt in the diet. Consequently, the Food Standards Agency is running a major public health campaign to reduce salt consumption in the UK and is advising the public to cut down on foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fats. As more and more food is being prepared and eaten outside the home, this can have a major impact on the diet as a whole. According to the Seafish Industry Authority there are 11,500 fish and chip shops across the UK selling more than 255 million meals annually. Seafish claim that fish and chips contain a third less calories and more than 40 per cent less fat than other popular takeaways such as doner kebabs. Fish and chips are a significant part of the takeaway food market and can have a major impact on the nutritional quality of the diet as a whole. Various factors such as the type of oil/fat used for frying and the oil temperature will affect the total fat, saturated and trans fat contents of the meal.

Stocks of cod are continuing to dwindle in the North Sea and there are proposals at EU level for a complete ban on fishing for cod. Continuing pressure on cod fisheries has led to an increase in price over recent years. Consequently, there will be a temptation for unscrupulous traders to substitute cheaper species.

The aim of the survey is twofold:

1. To assess the fat (including saturated and trans fat) and the salt contents of fish and chip meals from takeaways and restaurants and to compare the results with the recommended daily intakes put forward by the Food Standards Agency and the Guideline Daily Amounts developed by the Institute of Grocery Distribution. The results will provide officers with data they can use to discuss cooking and preparation practices with caterers.

2. To determine whether fish species sold in takeaways and restaurants are being falsely described.

FEB 08 - Fat Content of Minced Beef

Survey Leader – Ron Ennion MChemA

There are currently no statutory maximum limits for the fat content of minced beef, lean minced beef or minced beef described as “Super Lean” or “Extra Lean” on retail sale in the United Kingdom, following the revocation of The Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (the 1995 Regulations). It should be noted, however, that Courts have accepted a presumptive maximum limit of 25% fat for standard quality minced beef.

The aim of this is survey will be again to determine:

To determine the fat content of minced beef, lean minced beef, very lean minced beef or similarly named products labelled as having been derived from beef alone, comparing the results obtained with the established presumptive standard for “standard” quality minced beef, and the with the recommendations of the A.P.A. for other, leaner, qualities
To determine if meat species other than beef are present
To determine, based on the results obtained for the sample submitted, if consumers are being mislead by the descriptions applied to such minced beef products
To determine for each sample the cost per Kg of lean meat

Non-Food Surveys

MAY 07 - Babies’ Rattles

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995, Essential safety requirements for toys, require that users of toys as well as third parties must be protected against health hazards and risk of physical injury when toys are used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the normal behaviour of children.

A particular requirement is that toys and their component parts, and any detachable parts of toys which are clearly intended for use by children under 36 months must be of such dimensions as to prevent their being swallowed and or inhaled.

BS EN 71-1:2005 Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties specifies the safety criteria and tests required for a toy to satisfy the requirements of the Regulations. It includes specific requirements for toys intended for children under 36 months and for children who are too young to sit up unaided.

The aim of the survey is to determine that babies’ rattles and similar items on sale in the UK comply with the requirements of the Regulations. It is suggested that rattles and similar articles aimed at very young children should be targeted for assessment for compliance with the Regulations.

SEPT 07 - Determination of the Mechanical Safety of Children’s Clothing

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (SI 2005:1803) require that no producer shall place a product on the market unless the product is a safe product.

The Regulations define a "safe product" as any product which, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, including duration, does not present any risk or only the minimum risks compatible with the product’s use, considered as acceptable and consistent with a high level of protection for the health and safety of persons, taking into account in particular:

the characteristics of the product, including its composition, packaging, instructions for assembly and maintenance
the effect on other products, where it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used with other products
the presentation of the product, the labelling, any warning and instructions for its use and disposal and any other indication or information regarding the product
the categories of consumers at serious risk when using the product, in particular children and the elderly

The feasibility of obtaining higher levels of safety or the availability of other products presenting a lesser degree of risk shall not constitute grounds for considering a product to be a dangerous product.

The assessment of the safety of children’s clothing will be carried out using:

BS 7907:1997, Code of Practice for the Design and Manufacture of Children’s Clothing to promote Mechanical Safety. The Standard has requirements for filling materials, monofilament sewing threads, buttons, pom-poms, bows, motifs, labels, slide fasteners, elastics, cords, ribbons, bow-ties, integral feet and hoods
BS EN 14682:2004, Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing – Specifications. The Standard aims to minimise the risk of accidental entrapment by cords or drawstrings on children’s clothing

Surveys of the similar products in 2005 and 2006 produced a very high failure rate. The aim of the survey is again to determine the mechanical safety of items of children’s clothing, including footwear, intended for children under three years of age. Samples will be assessed and tested in accordance with the requirements of the Standards.

OCT 07 - Christmas Ornaments

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 define a "toy" as any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children of less than 14 years of age but specifically excludes "Christmas Decorations" from the definition.

The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 require that no producer shall place a product on the market unless the product is a safe product.

the characteristics of the product, including its composition, packaging, instructions for assembly and maintenance
the effect on other products, where it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used with other products
the presentation of the product, the labelling, any instructions for its use and disposal and any other indication or information provided by the producer
the categories of consumers at serious risk when using the product, in particular children
the fact that higher levels of safety may be obtained or other products presenting a lesser degree of risk may be available shall not of itself cause the product to be considered other than a safe product

In our experience products which would otherwise satisfy the definition of a "toy" and fail to satisfy the essential safety requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations are sold, with or without labelling, as Christmas ornaments. It is our contention that many, if not all, of these articles are child-appealing and consequently must not present risk of injury to a child, i.e. must satisfy the requirement of the General Product Safety Regulations.

The aim of the survey is to determine that child-appealing Christmas ornaments on sale in the UK comply with the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

JAN 08 - Microwaveable Personal Warmers

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

BS 8433:2004 Microwavable personal warmers – Specification, specifies performance requirements and instructions for safe use for domestic microwaveable personal warmers (MPWs) filled with a substance that has the characteristic of storing heat.

The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 require that no producer shall place a product on the market unless the product is a safe product.

the characteristics of the product, including its composition, packaging, instructions for assembly and maintenance
the effect on other products, where it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used with other products
the presentation of the product, the labelling, any instructions for its use and disposal and any other indication or information provided by the producer
the categories of consumers at serious risk when using the product, in particular children
the fact that higher levels of safety may be obtained or other products presenting a lesser degree of risk may be available shall not of itself cause the product to be considered other than a safe product

We are aware of numerous complaints and serious incidents of overheating of these products. The aim of the survey is to determine that microwaveable personal warmers on sale in the UK comply with the requirements of the Standard and the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations.