Grow Safe
Protecting the UK From foodborne hazards
The UK Food Safety Research Network connects food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities to protect us from microbial foodborne hazards.
Lettuces growing in a greenhouse
Make Safe
Protecting the UK From foodborne hazards
The UK Food Safety Research Network connects food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities to protect us from foodborne hazards.
A close up of cheese being made in a factory
Eat Safe
Protecting the UK From foodborne hazards
The UK Food Safety Research Network connects food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities to protect us from foodborne hazards.
A strawberry on a fork
Our Research
Current projects funded by the UK Food Safety Research Network.
A cartoon of a bacteriophage
A cartoon of a bacteriophage
Overview
Research using bacteriophages a safe intervention during processing to reduce Salmonella risks from raw pet foods
A plastic bowl of salad
A plastic bowl of salad
Overview
Consumers are increasingly looking for fresh, minimally processed ready-to-eat foods, for perceived health benefits and to support trends towards vegetarian diets. But these do not come without risks to
Photo of crickets on a plate, on a wooden table
Photo of crickets on a plate, on a wooden table
Overview
Research into the microbial communities with cricket farming and the associated risk to food safety
Photo of different cheese include cheddar, a soft cheese and a blue cheese
Photo of different cheese include cheddar, a soft cheese and a blue cheese
Overview
A project using rapid, anti-body biosensors to monitor pathogens in real time
Smoked Salmon
Smoked Salmon
Overview
A project trialing the use of bacteriophages as a biocontrol of Listeria in salmon and trout products
A photo of Lettuce
A photo of Lettuce
Overview
In the UK, there is a gap in certified training materials for primary produce growers, both those growing fresh produce in fields and those growing food in vertical farms.
Gold sparkling
Gold sparkling
Overview
Microbial contamination of food is responsible for 2.4 million cases of food poisoning per year, and also causes food spoilage, contributing to the 25% of food that is wasted.
A photo of a plant based burger on a pink background
A photo of a plant based burger on a pink background
Overview
This project is working on will identifying microbiological hazards that could be introduced during the production of selected new alternative protein and plant-based food products and the effect of
Overview
Salmonella is a leading cause of foodborne disease costing the UK £2 billion annually. Contaminated fresh produce is a common cause for outbreaks, with Salmonella readily colonising and formingbiofilms

Food poisoning is a major health challenge costing the UK up to £9 billion each year. 

The UK Food Safety Research Network helps to ensure food is safe from microbial risks.

Our network is hosted by the Quadram Institute funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Food Standards Agency and serves as an innovation hub

It brings together experts from government, industry and academia to address current and emerging issues of food safety in the UK.

Latest News

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7th November 2023
The UK Food Safety Research Network welcomes a new guide published by the World Health Organisation on whole genome sequencing use as a tool for foodborne disease surveillance and