Expansion of the Food Safety Research Network to create and mobilise new capabilities that act on microbial risk

UK consumers expect their food to be safe, and food producers and government are vigilant and work diligently to ensure safety of food supplies. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) reports that food-associated incidents are most commonly due to pathogenic microorganisms and that challenges remain to fully understanding and controlling pathogen entry into the food chain. As an example, this year a nationwide outbreak of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (275 cases, 122 hospitalisations), was linked to lettuce in sandwiches. Many factors beyond ‘food microbiology’ are needed to understand microbial risks, and it is essential that research on innovative food safety solutions is transdisciplinary, bringing food producers and government departments together with experts on food chain logistics and management, consumer behaviour and data science. Since 2022, the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN) has emerged as a highly successful community that accelerates formation of new partnerships and collaborative projects co-developed with industry, to address long-standing and emerging foodborne risks. FSRN was established at the Quadram Institute with strategic funding and support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and FSA to coordinate new ideas and partnerships amongst researchers, food businesses and government policymakers. During FSRN’s Inception Phase (2022-25), we successfully established our research priorities, built long-lasting relationships and initiated collaborative research projects (42 projects totalling £1.88M). We quickly learnt that food safety interests commonly intersect with other scientific disciplines and food system drivers, e.g. the United Nations priorities of diets being healthy, accessible and sustainable. From our members we also know that the FSRN model, founded on our strong network orchestration approaches, is needed long-term; extending our programme would add value to existing and new FSRN partners. Building on our Inception Phase, we request funding for FSRN’s Expansion Phase (2025-28). Our aims are: 1) to AMPLIFY STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS and complementarity with other food system communities and research networks; 2) to coordinate more projects that ADVANCE TRANSLATABLE SOLUTIONS by addressing food safety risk through new food system insights, technologies and upskilling; to extend our impact and add value by 3) NUCLEATNG NEW INVESTMENTS IN FOOD SAFETY through creation of fundable platforms and opportunities based on evolving and shared needs of the FSRN community. The case for a three-year Expansion Phase is built on experience learnt through: FSRN activities, feedback from BBSRC, FSRN advisory boards, structured interactions with Network members, and our FSRN Community Event (Feb. 2024). Success will be ensured by continued emphasis on listening to and harnessing stakeholder perspectives, and rapid prioritization of food safety risks and research opportunities. We have demonstrated effective delivery of our objectives and provided resourcing and mechanisms for members to develop collaborative projects that advance translation into food safety. We have now expanded the core leadership team and advisory board to include experts and governance roles to those who have engaged and contributed significantly during FSRN’s Inception Phase. These leaders will have specialized roles to advise on new technology, policy, guidance and training materials, accessibility to early career professionals; with principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. FSRN have established a productive niche where industry, government and academic researchers can build future projects on microbial food safety appropriate to stakeholder needs, and in this Expansion Phase, we will establish new connected research pathways that bring expanded value and opportunities to the wider industrial and scientific community.