Scotland updates foodborne-illness strategy while STEC O157 rates remain highest in UK

# What happened Food Standards Scotland (FSS) set out its foodborne illness priorities for the next three years, focusing on Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The update, presented in an FSS board paper, summarizes recent incidence trends, outstanding problems, and a research agenda intended to reduce pathogen transmission through the food chain.

# Current disease picture in Scotland

• Listeriosis: around 20 reported cases per year.
• Norovirus and Salmonella: average annual counts of approximately 1,400 and 700, respectively.

STEC case peaks occurred in 2022 (two nursery outbreaks of E. coli O157, 440 total cases) and in 2024 (a national E. coli O145 outbreak linked to salad leaves, 460 total cases). FSS notes ruminant-derived foods and environmentally contaminated produce as important transmission pathways. Although STEC O157 prevalence in cattle is similar across Great Britain, Scottish herds more often carry strains associated with severe human illness.

# Surveillance policy decision FSS considered but decided against establishing Scotland-specific pathogen surveillance thresholds to flag increases that might prompt investigation. After consulting Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), FSS concluded Scotland should continue using the UK-wide thresholds because the UK food supply is integrated and it is difficult to detect statistically meaningful changes for low-incidence pathogens such as L. monocytogenes.

# Research and operational priorities for the next three years FSS set a focused research agenda tied to the priorities above:

• Review on-farm and abattoir interventions used in Scottish poultry production to control Campylobacter.
• Research to rank foods by L. monocytogenes risk and produce guidance on safer alternatives for high-risk consumers.
• Studies of consumer handling and preparation of raw pet food, identified as a high-risk product for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
• Continued food safety messaging aimed at at-risk populations and development of technical guidance and tools for priority food sectors.
• Ongoing support for One Health surveillance approaches.

# Practical implications The update signals targeted, evidence-driven priorities rather than broad regulatory change. Expect continued emphasis on poultry interventions, produce-related risks for STEC, and measures aimed at vulnerable consumers for Listeria. Surveillance will remain aligned with UK thresholds, so Scottish signals will be interpreted within the UK-wide monitoring framework.