The advancement of rapid and accurate on-site diagnostic methods is crucial for the prevention and control of foodborne pathogens, as early detection could not only reduce threats to public health but also help in mitigating foodborne illness outbreaks. Definitions for on-site testing can include a variety of settings, from challenging field conditions with limited facilities to basic laboratory setups, as commonly found at points of entry such as air and seaports.
The Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (PATH-SAFE) programm aim to produce guidelines for the development and deployment of on-site diagnostic tests for food-borne pathogens. Uses of these tests include (but are not limited to) statutory testing, for example at border control points or as part of food safety inspections.
To ensure the guidelines meet real world needs of developers and regulators, the PATH-SAFE team are looking to connect with those involved with the control and/or testing of foodborne pathogens (including end-users, i.e. food manufacturers). They plan to first conduct a short survey (15-20 minutes), potentially followed by a targeted interview. The survey aims to collect data on current opinions regarding the use of on-site testing in food safety and to evaluate the suitability of our guidelines and how they could be effectively utilised.
If you would like to take part in the survey, please send an e-mail to Manisha.Gupta@fera.co.uk and/or Ines.Vazquez@fera.co.uk by September 12th.
The team are flexible with timelines, so if you miss the deadline but still wish to participate, feel free to connect with us. We will then send you the survey, which will be open for completion until the end of September. The interviews will be conducted between September-December.
