FSA proposes changes to import checks

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has proposed several changes to import controls on food of non-animal origin.

The 14 modifications are for Salmonella, pesticide residues, and aflatoxins in products from countries including Brazil, China, Turkey, and India. Official controls include documentary, identity, and physical examinations such as sampling.

The review followed a risk analysis process created by FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS). Imported food and feed of non-animal origin from specific countries were identified for assessment based on intelligence. These commodities were assessed based on the risks to human health.

A comment period in England, Wales, and Scotland is open until April 9. After this period, recommendations will be made to Ministers who have the final decision. Where they agree, legislation will be required, which should come into force in early 2026.

Proposed changes
An earlier review came into force in late December 2024. There are no planned changes to checks on black pepper from Brazil at a rate of 50 percent or enoki mushrooms from China or South Korea at a rate of 20 percent. Groundnuts and peanut butter from the United States will continue to be checked for aflatoxins at a frequency of 10 percent.

In the proposals, stricter controls on sweet peppers from China for Salmonella will be removed.

Jackfruit from Malaysia and okra from Vietnam will see a reduction in the frequency of identity and physical checks for pesticide residues from 50 to 20 percent due to improved compliance.

Papaya from Brazil and dragon fruit from Thailand will be subject to 10 percent pesticide residue checks at border control posts as will groundnuts and peanut butter from Paraguay for aflatoxins.

An increased frequency of identity and physical checks to 50 percent has been suggested for eggplant from the Dominican Republic and nutmeg, mace, and cardamoms from India because of pesticide residues and the risk to public health.

Okra, drumsticks, seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriander, cumin or caraway and juniper berries plus ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry, and other spices from India will require laboratory analysis and checks by authorities in exporting countries for pesticide residues.

FSA model described
The FSA said these commodities have been subjected to monitoring and surveillance at border control posts over several years. Information from controls and data from other countries indicates levels of compliance are not improving.

Another update involves sesame seeds, tahini, and halva from Nigeria, Syria, Turkey, Ethiopia, India, Sudan, and Uganda for Salmonella.

The FSA approach to risk categorization and risk ranking imported food of non-animal origin has been described in a study published in the Journal of Food Protection.

Combinations were scored using data on product characteristics, hazard characteristics, and trade import volumes, with weightings applied. The approach needed to cover microbiological, mycotoxin, and chemical hazards, ranked on the same scale.

Hazard presence assessed the likelihood of a hazard in the food. For hazard severity, categories were assigned negligible, low, medium, or high. Combinations were categorized based on consumer exposure to the hazard when compared with a value that relates to adverse health outcomes.

Results from the risk ranking model are not used in isolation to prioritize combinations for changes in official controls.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/03/fsa-proposes-changes-to-import-checks/