The agency said the approach was to get research ideas for brief (three to four months) proof of concept/feasibility studies which will provide a foundation to develop an evidence base.
Areas relate to tackling foodborne listeriosis, the potential for technology to support meat operations and potential of integrating next generation sequencing and other ’big data’.
FSA also wants information on identification and prioritisation of risks to food safety and quality associated with the use of recycled waste-derived materials in agriculture and other aspects of food production and optimising food and feed sampling and analysis.
The five topics where selected because they are integral to the FSA Strategy 2015-2020 and the FSA Strategic Plan 2015-2020.
“We believe that these are research areas where there are gaps in the current knowledge that need to be addressed…and potential for new or existing technologies to be developed and applied in the context of food safety,” said an FSA spokesperson.
Detail on each call area
For tackling listeriosis, the FSA is aiming to develop a Listeria reduction plan to reduce the likelihood of infections being acquired from food.
Although the number of reported infections is low compared to Campylobacter and Salmonella, listeriosis has a higher fatality rate among vulnerable groups.
Tenders are invited to carry out critical literature review(s)/rapid evidence assessments which consider key stages in the food chain and address new or existing information concerning the organism and its control in food manufacturing, retail/catering and consumer environments.
For technology to support meat operations, the agency is looking for ideas in the form of proof of concept/feasibility studies that focus on optimizing diagnostics and surveillance sampling in meat plants while maintaining quality and reducing costs.
In the next generation sequencing call, the FSA is interested in exploring the potential to use it and other “big data” approaches to tackle foodborne disease and incidents.
FSA is also part of the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) initiative.
“As well as the scientific/technical/methodological challenges of the proposed approach, we would expect such proposals to consider the wider practicalities (including barriers/enablers) of introducing the proposed approaches should they be taken forward and an initial analysis of the expected economic impact should they be successful,” according to call documents.
The final area is optimising food and feed sampling and analysis, with the agency saying it is important user need is explained, issues of cost effectiveness, potential for accreditation (UKAS, AOAC etc) and alignment with FSA’s strategic priorities.
Food and feed can be analysed for a range of issues, including biological, chemical or physical contamination, authenticity and compliance with compositional standards and labelling law.
“Typically, samples are tested for a single analyte or group of related analytes. For enforcement purposes this approach remains the standard, but technological developments are starting to allow the use of screening tests to better target the full analysis,” according to call documents.
“There is also starting to be the possibility of screening for multiple analytes (making more efficient use of the samples), non-targeted analysis (not looking for a specific analyte) as well as the use of rapid methods, some of which may be applied at the point of sampling.”
Who can apply and how?
The scope is open/general to attract applications from a range of expertise.
Studies where ideas could be developed further to show tangible results will be considered for additional funding, subject to budgetary constraints.
Expressions of interest are open to all including industry, academia, consultants and other parties who feel they are able to address the requirements.
“We are open to receiving bids through partnerships to ensure the requisite scale and scope and to leverage funding and expertise. This will ensure efficiency is achieved through collaboration, but the strategic science input is retained to ensure maximum consumer benefit and maximum impact,” said a FSA spokesperson.
Projects are expected to be completed by the end of March 2016, but research ideas could be considered for further funding.
Expressions of interest applications should be submitted using the FSA electronic Public Procurement System (ePPS) by 5pm on 14 September.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to submit a full application by 21 October and projects start in January 2016.