Written question asked by Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 6 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 July 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Food Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidelines the Food Standards Agency has issued regarding testing for salmonella by food manufacturers; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not issued specific guidance on salmonella testing since testing regimes should be established by food business operators, informed by their food safety management systems. The FSA has, however, issued a range of guidance documents to assist food businesses and enforcers with implementing the new hygiene legislation. These list sources of further technical guidance from industry representative bodies and expert organisations which will help businesses to establish appropriate hazard analysis critical control point-based procedures and testing regimes.

Secondary information