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Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report

Geertje Van Keulen Orcid Logo, Natalie De Mello Orcid Logo, ANTHONY HORLOCK, NBIC National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Network Biofilm Alliance, FSRN UK Food Safety Research Network

Swansea University Authors: Geertje Van Keulen Orcid Logo, Natalie De Mello Orcid Logo, ANTHONY HORLOCK

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DOI (Published version): https://doi.org/10.5258/biofilms/016

Abstract

This report summarises the outcomes of a cross-sector workshop on Biofilm Methodologies and FoodSector Regulation, held in Nottingham on 6 March 2025, organised by the National BiofilmsInnovation Centre (NBIC), the Biofilm Alliance and the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN). Theworkshop brought tog...

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Published: Southampton, UK 2025
Online Access: https://biofilms.ac.uk/download/28695
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70651
first_indexed 2025-10-13T17:02:53Z
last_indexed 2025-10-14T10:08:26Z
id cronfa70651
recordtype SURis
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Theworkshop brought together stakeholders from industry, academia, regulatory bodies, and testingorganisations to discuss the challenges that microbial biofilms pose across the food supply chain. Theparticipants were asked to discuss the following points:&#x2022; What biofilm methodologies is the food industry currently using to meet regulatory requirements?&#x2022; What are the challenges and needs in addressing biofilms in the food sector?&#x2022; What challenges arise when navigating the UK&#x2019;s food regulatory landscape?&#x2022; What solutions could be proposed to address the above difficulties?&#x2022; What additional methodologies or guidelines would the industry like to see developed to furthersupport regulatory compliance?Key discussions revealed that biofilms remain a widespread but under-recognised risk in foodproduction environments. Many organisations lack awareness, education, technical expertise, and theresources needed for effective biofilm detection, prevention, and intervention. Current detection tools,such as swabbing and reactive sprays, are inconsistent, non-quantitative, and often fail to identifyearly-stage or embedded biofilms.Participants agreed that prevention is more effective and cost-efficient than remediation. Practicalstrategies include tailored, multistage cleaning protocols; condition monitoring; hygienic equipmentdesign; and the use of advanced technologies such as enzymes, UV light, and biocontrol agents.However, adoption remains uneven due to gaps in regulatory guidance, limited small and mediumenterprises capacity, and insufficient validation of emerging tools.The absence of a biofilm-specific regulatory framework was identified as a major barrier. Existingstandards (e.g. HACCP) do not reflect the complexity of biofilm risks. Retailers often impose their ownrequirements, leading to inconsistency across the sector. There is a clear need for standardisedmethodologies, industry-specific definitions, and collaborative frameworks to guide action.Proposed next steps for the scientific and industry communities include developing validateddetection tools, enhancing workforce training, creating shared knowledge platforms, and aligningregulatory and industry practices. A coordinated, proactive approach would be essential to strengthenfood safety, support innovation, and build long-term resilience against biofilm-related contaminationrisks.</abstract><type>Monograph</type><journal/><volume/><journalNumber/><paginationStart/><paginationEnd/><publisher/><placeOfPublication>Southampton, UK</placeOfPublication><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic/><keywords>Biofilm; Methodologies; Food; Regulatory Guidance; industry; academia; regulatory bodies; testing houses;</keywords><publishedDay>30</publishedDay><publishedMonth>9</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2025</publishedYear><publishedDate>2025-09-30</publishedDate><doi>https://doi.org/10.5258/biofilms/016</doi><url>https://biofilms.ac.uk/download/28695</url><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Medical School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>MEDS</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>Not Required</apcterm><funders>InnovateUK</funders><projectreference>10139476</projectreference><lastEdited>2025-10-13T18:31:14.0615456</lastEdited><Created>2025-10-13T17:44:55.9090726</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences</level><level id="2">Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Geertje</firstname><surname>Van Keulen</surname><orcid>0000-0002-6044-1575</orcid><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Natalie</firstname><surname>De Mello</surname><orcid>0000-0001-6973-2881</orcid><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>ANTHONY</firstname><surname>HORLOCK</surname><order>3</order></author><author><firstname>NBIC National Biofilms Innovation</firstname><surname>Centre</surname><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>Network Biofilm</firstname><surname>Alliance</surname><order>5</order></author><author><firstname>FSRN UK Food Safety Research</firstname><surname>Network</surname><order>6</order></author></authors><documents/><OutputDurs><OutputDur><Id>335</Id><IsDataAvailableOnline xsi:nil="true"/><DataNotAvailableOnlineReasonId xsi:nil="true"/><IsDurRestrictions xsi:nil="true"/><DurRestrictionReasonId xsi:nil="true"/><DurEmbargoDate xsi:nil="true"/></OutputDur></OutputDurs></rfc1807>
spelling 2025-10-13T18:31:14.0615456 v2 70651 2025-10-13 Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report 6b2c798924ac19de63e2168d50b99425 0000-0002-6044-1575 Geertje Van Keulen Geertje Van Keulen true false 0790466dcb939bd39da7d5bd6326f1b6 0000-0001-6973-2881 Natalie De Mello Natalie De Mello true false 7fd9d848635f07e35a71926d25363ef1 ANTHONY HORLOCK ANTHONY HORLOCK true false 2025-10-13 MEDS This report summarises the outcomes of a cross-sector workshop on Biofilm Methodologies and FoodSector Regulation, held in Nottingham on 6 March 2025, organised by the National BiofilmsInnovation Centre (NBIC), the Biofilm Alliance and the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN). Theworkshop brought together stakeholders from industry, academia, regulatory bodies, and testingorganisations to discuss the challenges that microbial biofilms pose across the food supply chain. Theparticipants were asked to discuss the following points:• What biofilm methodologies is the food industry currently using to meet regulatory requirements?• What are the challenges and needs in addressing biofilms in the food sector?• What challenges arise when navigating the UK’s food regulatory landscape?• What solutions could be proposed to address the above difficulties?• What additional methodologies or guidelines would the industry like to see developed to furthersupport regulatory compliance?Key discussions revealed that biofilms remain a widespread but under-recognised risk in foodproduction environments. Many organisations lack awareness, education, technical expertise, and theresources needed for effective biofilm detection, prevention, and intervention. Current detection tools,such as swabbing and reactive sprays, are inconsistent, non-quantitative, and often fail to identifyearly-stage or embedded biofilms.Participants agreed that prevention is more effective and cost-efficient than remediation. Practicalstrategies include tailored, multistage cleaning protocols; condition monitoring; hygienic equipmentdesign; and the use of advanced technologies such as enzymes, UV light, and biocontrol agents.However, adoption remains uneven due to gaps in regulatory guidance, limited small and mediumenterprises capacity, and insufficient validation of emerging tools.The absence of a biofilm-specific regulatory framework was identified as a major barrier. Existingstandards (e.g. HACCP) do not reflect the complexity of biofilm risks. Retailers often impose their ownrequirements, leading to inconsistency across the sector. There is a clear need for standardisedmethodologies, industry-specific definitions, and collaborative frameworks to guide action.Proposed next steps for the scientific and industry communities include developing validateddetection tools, enhancing workforce training, creating shared knowledge platforms, and aligningregulatory and industry practices. A coordinated, proactive approach would be essential to strengthenfood safety, support innovation, and build long-term resilience against biofilm-related contaminationrisks. Monograph Southampton, UK Biofilm; Methodologies; Food; Regulatory Guidance; industry; academia; regulatory bodies; testing houses; 30 9 2025 2025-09-30 https://doi.org/10.5258/biofilms/016 https://biofilms.ac.uk/download/28695 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University Not Required InnovateUK 10139476 2025-10-13T18:31:14.0615456 2025-10-13T17:44:55.9090726 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science Geertje Van Keulen 0000-0002-6044-1575 1 Natalie De Mello 0000-0001-6973-2881 2 ANTHONY HORLOCK 3 NBIC National Biofilms Innovation Centre 4 Network Biofilm Alliance 5 FSRN UK Food Safety Research Network 6 335
title Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
spellingShingle Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
Geertje Van Keulen
Natalie De Mello
ANTHONY HORLOCK
title_short Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
title_full Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
title_fullStr Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
title_full_unstemmed Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
title_sort Biofilm Methodologies and Food Sector Regulation Workshop Report
author_id_str_mv 6b2c798924ac19de63e2168d50b99425
0790466dcb939bd39da7d5bd6326f1b6
7fd9d848635f07e35a71926d25363ef1
author_id_fullname_str_mv 6b2c798924ac19de63e2168d50b99425_***_Geertje Van Keulen
0790466dcb939bd39da7d5bd6326f1b6_***_Natalie De Mello
7fd9d848635f07e35a71926d25363ef1_***_ANTHONY HORLOCK
author Geertje Van Keulen
Natalie De Mello
ANTHONY HORLOCK
author2 Geertje Van Keulen
Natalie De Mello
ANTHONY HORLOCK
NBIC National Biofilms Innovation Centre
Network Biofilm Alliance
FSRN UK Food Safety Research Network
format Monograph
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv https://doi.org/10.5258/biofilms/016
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Biomedical Science
url https://biofilms.ac.uk/download/28695
document_store_str 0
active_str 0
description This report summarises the outcomes of a cross-sector workshop on Biofilm Methodologies and FoodSector Regulation, held in Nottingham on 6 March 2025, organised by the National BiofilmsInnovation Centre (NBIC), the Biofilm Alliance and the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN). Theworkshop brought together stakeholders from industry, academia, regulatory bodies, and testingorganisations to discuss the challenges that microbial biofilms pose across the food supply chain. Theparticipants were asked to discuss the following points:• What biofilm methodologies is the food industry currently using to meet regulatory requirements?• What are the challenges and needs in addressing biofilms in the food sector?• What challenges arise when navigating the UK’s food regulatory landscape?• What solutions could be proposed to address the above difficulties?• What additional methodologies or guidelines would the industry like to see developed to furthersupport regulatory compliance?Key discussions revealed that biofilms remain a widespread but under-recognised risk in foodproduction environments. Many organisations lack awareness, education, technical expertise, and theresources needed for effective biofilm detection, prevention, and intervention. Current detection tools,such as swabbing and reactive sprays, are inconsistent, non-quantitative, and often fail to identifyearly-stage or embedded biofilms.Participants agreed that prevention is more effective and cost-efficient than remediation. Practicalstrategies include tailored, multistage cleaning protocols; condition monitoring; hygienic equipmentdesign; and the use of advanced technologies such as enzymes, UV light, and biocontrol agents.However, adoption remains uneven due to gaps in regulatory guidance, limited small and mediumenterprises capacity, and insufficient validation of emerging tools.The absence of a biofilm-specific regulatory framework was identified as a major barrier. Existingstandards (e.g. HACCP) do not reflect the complexity of biofilm risks. Retailers often impose their ownrequirements, leading to inconsistency across the sector. There is a clear need for standardisedmethodologies, industry-specific definitions, and collaborative frameworks to guide action.Proposed next steps for the scientific and industry communities include developing validateddetection tools, enhancing workforce training, creating shared knowledge platforms, and aligningregulatory and industry practices. A coordinated, proactive approach would be essential to strengthenfood safety, support innovation, and build long-term resilience against biofilm-related contaminationrisks.
published_date 2025-09-30T05:31:21Z
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