Information Statements

Information Statement (PDF) | November 2011

3-MCPD (3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) is the most commonly occurring of a group of contaminants known as chloropropanols. First identified as a contaminant of acid-hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and soy sauce, later found in other food groups. The purpose of this information statement is to provide an overview on 3-MCPD, formation and occurrence in foods, public health significance, legislation, methods of detection and industry good practice.

Information Statement (PDF) | May 2008

Millions of people worldwide are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. IFST addresses some of the concerns there may be about people with HIV/AIDS working in the food industry and provides important advice to employers, food handlers and the general public.

Information Statement (PDF) | March 2011

The purpose of this statement is to provide the reader with a brief overview to many of the relevant issues of the current debate. It describes some of the current approaches to cloning together with the implications to the welfare of the cloned animals and their offspring. It considers the regulatory aspects in the UK , the EU and elsewhere and reviews the safety of food from cloned animals. Furthermore the ethics of cloning and the public attitudes to cloning are explored.

Information Statement (PDF) | March 2007

There is a plethora of news about the spread of avian influenza H5N1 strain. This Information Statement, while providing scientific background to avian influenza, aims to concern itself closely with the potential food and food safety implications. However, it also takes in information relating to planning for coping with a potential human pandemic because of the likely severe impact of the latter on the growing/rearing, manufacture and distribution of food.

Information Statement (PDF) | November 2004

This Information Statement covers the background and scientific research investigating the possible causes of BSE and vCJD and their treatment. It includes information on modes of transmission of BSE, and transmission in sheep and primates as well as vCJD incidence in humans. An analysis of the situation in other countries is also provided along with a summary of the legislative controls and other measures across the EU.

Information Statement (PDF) | January 2004

The use of BST in the EU was prohibited on animal welfare grounds in January 2000 but controversy regarding the effect of BST treatment of cows in relation to human and animal has continued. IFST provides an overview of the scientific evidence on the safety of BST in relation to animal and human health and its regulatory status

Information Statement (PDF) | October 2007

Campylobacters occur widely as part of the intestinal flora of many warm-blooded animals and birds, particularly chickens and turkeys, and can be carried in animals that are used for food production and in domestic pets. In addition, they also occur in untreated water and raw milk. Evidence indicates that the most important risk factors for food-borne infection are consumption of undercooked poultry (particularly chicken), and other meat, unpasteurised or inadequately pasteurised milk and food that has been cross-contaminated.

Information Statement (PDF) | April 2008

Cryptosporidium infection can be serious. It is usually transmitted by contaminated water, infected animals, person-to-person contact or contaminated food. This IFST Information Statement explains the background to the concerns about cryptosporidium, the nature of the infection and the life cycle of the organism, Cryptosporidium parva. Control and detection measures are discussed and advice for food handlers provided.

Information Statement (PDF) | May 2008

The growing importance of the protozoan parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, as a cause of food borne infection is described. Outbreaks so far have occurred mainly in the USA and have been linked to the consumption of soft fruits and salad greens. The microbiological safety of such fresh fruit and salad vegetables depends on the avoidance of contamination with pathogenic microorganisms at all stages of production, most particularly in the field. IFST outlines the measures needed to avoid such contamination and stresses the need for improved reporting mechanisms.

Information Statement (PDF) | April 2007

This Information Statement gives an overview of current legislative and nutritional thinking on dietary fibre. It provides useful definitions and summarises the different methods of analysis for determining dietary fibre. It also explains why the results from different methods of analysis are not comparable and outlines current legal requirements with respect to claims for dietary fibre. The nutritional and health benefits of including dietary fibre in the diet are outlined and the concept of prebiotics explained.