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<p>This study aimed to:</p>
<ul>
<li>support the Agency in developing and executing an evaluation of the Ecoli O157 cross contamination guidance</li>
<li>carry out new primary research to identify awareness of the guidance and to gather feedback from both businesses and enforcement officers</li>
</ul>
<p>The evaluation consisted of several stages. These were:</p>
<ul>
<li>a scoping stage to help inform the second stage of a quantitative survey</li>
<li>a quantitative survey of both food business operators and local authorities to gain a better understanding of how the guidance has been received and used</li>
<li>a qualitative follow-up stage to explore more deeply some of the issues from the survey</li>
</ul>
<p>The Agency will use the results of the evaluation in order to consider enhancing the content and delivery of the guidance in the future.</p>
<p>Background: Serious outbreaks of Ecoli O157 were reported in Scotland during 1996 and Wales during 2005. They resulted in the deaths of some affected individuals and in serious long-term health problems for others. Both outbreaks were attributed to cross-contamination arising from poorly managed food handling practices in the commercial setting. In response to this, the Agency established a programme of work to reduce the risk of similar outbreaks occurring in the future.</p>
In 2011 the Agency embarked on the development and dissemination of new guidance for industry and enforcement officers. The purpose of this guidance was:
<ul><li>to increase recognition of the threat that Ecoli O157 poses to public health</li>
<li>the need for stringent measures during food production to control cross-contamination risks associated with the pathogen.</li></ul>
<p>The guidance was produced upon principles that were subject to a formal public consultation in 2010. In February 2011 the Agency published the detailed guidance and an additional fact sheet summarising its content. Training for local authorities enforcement officers was also provided alongside this.</p>
<p>The FSA is committed to evaluating its activities, both in terms of assessing impact but also in gathering process feedback to assist continuous improvement. </p>