Cold war between FSA and ACMSF

The Food Standards Association (FSA) proposal to restrict the shelf-life of vacuum-packed and modified-atmosphere packaged products to five days has been opposed by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF).

The ACMSF has proposed that the FSA guidance should be revised from “less than of equal to five days” to “less than or equal to 10 days at 8°C”.

The ACMSF decision follows an independent Institute of Food Research (IFR) review of current evidence on vacuum and modified atmosphere packaged foods and the risk of clostridium botulinum, a bacteria which causes botulism.

There have been no reported cases of botulism linked to properly stored chilled prepared foods over the last 20 years, according to the IFR review.

The IFR added that the current 10-day shelf life recommendation for the UK was already quite restrictive.

The ACMSF said the FSA should set up a small group to set down simple guidance for the industry.

For further information read the ACMSF minutes on the FSA website at http://www.food.gov.uk/science/ouradvisors/microbiogsafety/acmsfmeets/acmsf2006/