Scotland - list of projects
Information about Agency-funded research projects
S01003: Variability of alkaline phosphatase in goat milk in relation to its use as an effective index of pasteurisation
This research project aims to consider the feasibility of identifying unpasteurised milk in species other than cows.
Results available.
S01005: National Food Surveillance System for Scotland
This research project aims to ensure that all results from microbiological and chemical analysis of food conducted by Scottish Local Authorities are entered onto a central database.
Results available.
S01007: Monitoring of toxin producing phytoplankton in Scottish coastal waters
This research project monitors coastal waters for the presence of toxin producing cells in order to fulfil the requirments of the EU Directive 91/492/EEC.
Results available.
S01008: Monitoring of E. Coli in shellfish for harvesting site classifications
This research project aims to monitor E. coli levels in shellfish and the results will be used to classify Scottish shellfish harvesting sites.
Results available.
S01011: Evaluation of the Butchers' Licensing initiative in Scotland
This research project aims to evaluate the impact of the regulations in Scotland which require butchers to obtain a licence from the local authority granting approval to trade.
Results available.
S01014: Prevalence of faecal shedding on Scottish beef cattle farms of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli serotypes: O26, O103, O111, and O145
This research project aims to study the prevalence of non-VTEC E.coli, which are potential human pathogens, in the faeces of Scottish beef cattle.
Results available.
S01016: Monitoring of phytoplankton in seawater around Scotland
This research project aims to monitor Scottish coastal waters for the presence of toxin producing phytoplankton species.
S01017: Further statistical analysis of campylobacter data from Lothian Health Board
This research project aims to investigate the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of cases of campylobacter infection.
Results available.
S01018: Quantifying the seasonality of E. coli O157 shedding in cattle
This research project aims to investigate whether there is a difference in the concentration and prevalence of E. coli O157 shed by cattle during the summer and winter months.
Results available.
S01020: Provision of E. coli in shellfish database
This research project aims to ensure that samples of mollusc flesh from all Scottish shellfish production areas are analysed for E. coli throughout the year.
S01023/S14024 Campylobacter case control study and analysis of household water samples.
This research project aims to test the hypothesis whether private water supplies are a risk factor for Campylobacter infection in humans.
S01026: Risk assessment of current shellfish toxin monitoring schemes and development of improved schemes
The aim of this study was to assess the monitoring programme conducted by the Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) to determine the prevalence of toxins responsible for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), in shellfish harvested from classified inshore production areas in Scotland.
Results available.
S02003: UK soil and herbage survey
This research project aims to extend the UK Soil and Herbage Pollutant Survey carried out in Scotland.
S02007: Shellfish monitoring (algal toxins)
This research project aims to monitor algal toxins present in shellfish in Scotland.
Results available.
S02008: The source and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in farmed mussels and other commercial species from Loch Leven
This research project aims to investigate concentrations of PAHs present in various seafoods in order to decide when it would be safe for the resumption of harvesting mussels for human consumption.
S02011: Measurement of ASP (Amnesic Shellfish Poison) in King Scallops processed in Scotland
This research project aims to investigate domoic acid in scallops, to provide data which will determine the appropriate levels of end product testing in Scotland.
Results available.
S02013: Contaminants in shellfish
This research project aims to monitor chemical contaminants in shellfish in Scotland.
S02014: Continued monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination in Loch Leven
This research project aims to monitor the concentration of polyaromatic hyrdocarbons (PAHs) in farmed blue mussels to ensure the mussels continue to be safe for human consumption.
S02015: Monitoring of phytoplankton in seawater around Scotland - follow-up
This research project aims to monitor coastal waters for the presence of toxin producing phytoplankton.
S02018: Scallop portion size study
This research project collected data on scallop purchase and consumption, and investigated the size of an average scallop portion, in and out of home, across five European countries.
Results available.
S02019: A time-course model to allow the prediction of the optimal period after box closure to commence re-sampling in king scallop boxes in Scottish offshore waters
This research project developed a database of domoic acid levels in king scallops in Scottish offshore waters, and investigated the time taken for potentially hazardous levels to fall below the regulatory limit.
Results available.
S02020: Risk assessment for practical changes in the Scottish offshore scallop monitoring programme for domoic acid
This research project used historical data to determine seasonal and long-term trends in levels of domoic acid in king scallops in offshore harvesting areas in Scotland.
Results available.
S02021: Continued monitoring of PAH contamination in Loch Leven
This research project aims to monitor the concentration of polyaromatic hyrdocarbons (PAHs) in farmed blue mussels to ensure the mussels continue to be safe for human consumption.
Results available.
S02023: Measurement of trace metals in shellfish in support of the Jambo monitoring programme
This research project aimed to determine the concentrations of zinc and trace metals in commercially caught species of shellfish in the area surrounding the wreck of the MV Jambo.
S04001: Healthy eating focus groups
This research project aims to look at innovative ways of encouraging consumers to eat better via consumer focus groups.
S04002: Modelling of nutrient content of school meals
This research project aims to determine whether school menus constructed to Hungry for Success guidelines provide meals that meet the nutrient standards for pupils in Scotland.
S04004: Catering for health in Scotland
This research project aims to evaluate the awareness of the 'Catering for Health' resource in Scotland amongst catering educators.
S04005 - Accessing healthy food: A national assessment and sentinel mapping study of food retailing in Scotland
The study will provide a systematic and rigorous national assessment of access to healthy food across Scotland.
S12001: Sampling and analysis for chemical contaminants in shellfish flesh from Scottish inshore and offshore harvesting sites
This research project analyses levels of chemical contaminants in shellfish from Scottish inshore and offshore harvesting sites.
Results available.
S14005: Prevalence and concentration of Escherichia coli serotype O157 and other VTEC in sheep presented for slaughter in Scotland
This research project will sample sheep presented for slaughter to establish the prevalence of E. coli O157and other verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) serotypes in sheep.
Results available.
S14006: The molecular epidemiology of Scottish campylobacter isolates from human cases of infection using multilocus sequence typing (MLST)
This research project will use the typing method MLST to compare Scottish campylobacter isolates from human infections with those from food and environmental sources.
S14008: A survey of Anisakis and Pseudoterranova in Scottish fisheries and the efficacy of current detection methods
This research project aims to advance understanding of anisakine nematode infections of key Scottish white fish species, and to determine the efficiency of the methods currently used for detecting and removing this parasite during processing.
Results available.
S14017: Pilot study on the incidence of algal toxins (ASP, DSP and PSP toxins) in Scottish brown crab Cancer pagurus
This research project aims to provide the Food Standards Agency Scotland with data relating to the uptake of biotoxins by Cancer pagurus and the occurrence of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in crabs harvested from areas known to be affected by shellfish biotoxins.
Results available.
S14018: Change in sodium content of potato, pasta and rice with different cooking methods
S14018: Change in sodium content of potato, pasta and rice with different cooking methods
S14019:Investigate the Impact of Hungry for Success in Scotland on food purchased to supply the education sector and other parts of the cost sector provision
This research project aims to investigate the impact of target nutrient specifications on the food supplied to the education sector and across other public sector institutions.
Results available.
S14026/27: Collection and analysis of shellfish flesh from Scottish inshore and offshore harvesting areas for chemical contaminants
This research project will determine the concentration of environmental contaminants in Scottish shellfish. The contaminants will include trace metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides , polychlorinated biphenyls and tetrabromobisphenol A.
S14031: Risk factors in shellfish harvesting areas (SARF 013)
This research project is a collaborative study co-funded by the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF), SEPA and FSAS. The study aims to determine the relationships between measurements of faecal indicators (faecal coliforms, E.coli, bacteriophage and norovirus) in shellfish harvesting waters, and to identify the environmental triggers which can lead to the faecal contamination of shellfish.
S14033: LC-MS profiling of DSP toxins in shellfish samples from the 2006 Scottish DSP monitoring programme
This research project aims to determine the concentrations and toxin composition of DSP toxins in selected mussel samples from the Scottish 2006 Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) monitoring Programme.
Results available.