We're now looking for new people to join our Scientific Advisory Committees. Our Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) gather scientific information and evaluate its relevance. This is to make sure that the FSA’s advice is based on the best and most recent scientific evidence.
This is a particularly exciting time to join one of our committees. The FSA is preparing to take over responsibility for food safety risk assessment and providing risk management advice to Ministers after the EU Transition Period. From 1 January 2021, the SACs will be a crucial part of our risk analysis process, informing our risk assessment of food issues and regulated food and feed products.
SAC members are appointed from a wide range of disciplines and include specialist academics, experienced practitioners and consumer representatives.
And we're looking for new members. Apply now to join our Scientific Advisory Committees or the Science Council.
In the meantime, let's hear from some current members on their experiences of being on one of our Scientific Advisory Committees.
Taking part are:
- Professor Peter McClure, Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)
- Dr Camilla Alexander-White, Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)
- Dr Edward Fox, Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF)
- Dr Michael Routledge, Committee of Toxicity (COT)
- Professor John O’Brien, Science Council (SC)
What made you initially apply to be on one of the FSA’s Science Advisory Committees?
Dr Michael Routledge, COT: "I believe that academics have a responsibility to contribute to public service. I saw this as an opportunity to apply my knowledge and to contribute to an important area of public health and safety."
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "The opportunity to contribute my knowledge in ways that could help maintain the high food standards of the UK was an exciting and appealing one.
"Participating in the SACs allows you to use your expertise to help critically assess and evaluate key issues to food safety and quality facing modern food production. The broad experience and specialities of the Committee members also ensures the consideration of these issues from the viewpoint of all stakeholders, from Consumer to Industry to Government."
What has been a personal highlight of being on one of the Committees/Science Council?
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: "Interdisciplinarity is a vital aspect of the FSA committee on which I serve. As such I’ve continued learning about other specialisms than my own. Personally, I have developed more skills for bringing complex science into policymaking, and through rigorous work as a team, we have made sure only products that are shown to be safe for consumption are supported."
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "The opportunity to engage with experts from so many different facets of the food system and discuss key issues and challenges facing the food industry. It has been hugely informative and widened my appreciation of these issues from different viewpoints."
How has being on one of the Committees positively influenced your career?
Professor Peter McClure, ACMSF: "There is the acknowledgement that becoming a member of the committee is confirmation that my own skills and competencies are at a level that is valued and recognised outside my own organization.
"This has allowed me to progress my career further down the technical path where I can develop and share technical best practice and new knowledge with colleagues that I work with."
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: "Being on a scientific advisory committee has given me new connections, and I’ve been able to stay informed of the latest regulatory developments. The work I have done for the FSA builds on my reputation for being a credible independent scientific expert adviser in my field."
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "There is also an opportunity to meet leading food science experts from across the UK and beyond, and build new relationships."
What would you say to someone interested in joining one of the committees?
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "To anyone with a passion for food science and safety, looking for an opportunity to use their expertise and knowledge to make a contribution to UK food standards, I would say pursuing an opportunity to participate in one of the SACs is definitely worth doing!"
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: "I have had a very positive experience over 8 years serving on an FSA Science Advisory Committee. The FSA really values the scientific advice it receives and you will feel like you are contributing to the national effort to keep our food safe and of high quality."
Professor John O’Brien, SC: "The work is fulfilling as it addresses topics of high significance to the FSA, UK consumers and food businesses. As with any team, the Science Council is more than the sum of its parts and the enthusiasm and spirit of collaboration of the FSA staff help drive productivity."
Apply now to join our Scientific Advisory Committees or the Science Council. To learn more about each SAC, see the work they do and read what's happened in previous meetings, please head to our Scientific Advisory Committees hub.
Rydym ni’n chwilio am bobl newydd i ymuno â'n Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol
Mae ein Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol (SACs) yn casglu gwybodaeth wyddonol ac yn gwerthuso ei pherthnasedd. Mae hyn er mwyn sicrhau bod cyngor yr Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd (ASB) yn seiliedig ar y dystiolaeth wyddonol orau a mwyaf diweddar.
Mae hwn yn amser arbennig o gyffrous i ymuno ag un o'n pwyllgorau. Mae'r ASB yn paratoi i gymryd cyfrifoldeb am asesu risg diogelwch bwyd a darparu cyngor ar reoli risg i Weinidogion ar ôl Cyfnod Pontio’r Undeb Ewropeaidd (UE). O 1 Ionawr 2021, bydd y SACs yn rhan hanfodol o'n proses dadansoddi risg, gan lywio ein hasesiad risg o faterion bwyd a chynhyrchion bwyd a bwyd anifeiliaid rheoleiddiedig.
Penodir aelodau SAC o ystod eang o ddisgyblaethau gan gynnwys academyddion arbenigol, ymarferwyr profiadol a chynrychiolwyr defnyddwyr.
Rydym ni’n chwilio am aelodau newydd. Gwnewch gais nawr i ymuno â’n Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol neu’r Cyngor Gwyddoniaeth.
Yn y cyfamser, dyma ambell air gan rai aelodau presennol ar eu profiadau o fod ar un o'n Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol.
Byddwn ni’n clywed gan:
- Yr Athro Peter McClure, Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Ddiogelwch Microbiolegol Bwyd (ACMSF)
- Dr Camilla Alexander-White, Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Fwydydd a Phrosesau Newydd (ACNFP)
- Dr Edward Fox, Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Ddiogelwch Microbiolegol Bwyd (ACMSF)
- Dr Michael Routledge, Pwyllgor ar Wenwyndra (COT)
- Yr Athro John O'Brien, Cyngor Gwyddoniaeth (SC)
Pam aethoch chi ati i wneud cais i fod ar un o Bwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddoniaeth yr ASB?
Dr Michael Routledge, COT: "Credaf fod gan academyddion gyfrifoldeb i gyfrannu at wasanaeth cyhoeddus. Gwelais hyn fel cyfle i gymhwyso fy ngwybodaeth ac i gyfrannu at faes pwysig o iechyd a diogelwch y cyhoedd."
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: “Roedd y cyfle i gyfrannu fy ngwybodaeth mewn ffyrdd a allai helpu i gynnal safonau bwyd uchel y Deyrnas Unedig yn un cyffrous a oedd yn apelio ataf.
"Mae cymryd rhan yn y Pwyllgorau Gwyddoniaeth yn caniatáu i chi ddefnyddio'ch arbenigedd i asesu a gwerthuso materion allweddol ar ddiogelwch ac ansawdd bwyd sy'n wynebu cynhyrchu bwyd yn yr oes sydd ohoni. Mae profiad eang ac arbenigeddau aelodau'r Pwyllgor hefyd yn sicrhau bod y materion hyn yn cael eu hystyried o safbwynt yr holl randdeiliaid, o'r defnyddiwr i'r diwydiant i'r Llywodraeth."
Oes un uchafbwynt personol o fod yn rhan o Bwyllgor neu Gyngor Gwyddonol?
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: "Mae rhyngddisgyblaeth yn agwedd hanfodol ar bwyllgor yr ASB yr wyf yn rhan ohono. Yn hynny o beth, rydw i wedi parhau i ddysgu am arbenigeddau gwahanol i fy rhai fy hun. Yn bersonol, rydw i wedi datblygu rhagor o sgiliau ar gyfer cyflwyno gwyddoniaeth gymhleth i waith llunio polisi, a thrwy waith trwyadl fel tîm, rydym ni wedi sicrhau mai dim ond cynhyrchion diogel i'w bwyta sy'n cael eu cefnogi.”
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "Y cyfle i ymgysylltu ag arbenigwyr o nifer o wahanol agweddau ar y system fwyd a thrafod materion a heriau allweddol sy'n wynebu'r diwydiant bwyd. Mae wedi bod yn addysgiadol iawn ac wedi ehangu fy ngwerthfawrogiad o’r materion hyn o wahanol safbwyntiau.”
Sut mae bod ar un o'r Pwyllgorau wedi dylanwadu'n gadarnhaol ar eich gyrfa?
Yr Athro Peter McClure, ACMSF: "Mae dod yn aelod o'r pwyllgor yn gadarnhad bod gennyf sgiliau a chymwyseddau sy'n cael eu gwerthfawrogi a'u cydnabod y tu allan i'm sefydliad fy hun.
"Mae hyn wedi caniatáu i mi ddatblygu fy ngyrfa ymhellach i lawr y llwybr technegol lle gallaf ddatblygu a rhannu arfer gorau technegol a gwybodaeth newydd gyda fy nghydweithwyr."
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: "Mae bod ar bwyllgor cynghori gwyddonol wedi rhoi cysylltiadau newydd i mi, ac rydw i wedi gallu cael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y datblygiadau rheoleiddio diweddaraf. Mae'r gwaith rydw i wedi'i wneud i'r ASB yn adeiladu ar fy enw da am fod yn gynghorydd arbenigol gwyddonol annibynnol a chredadwy yn fy maes."
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "Mae cyfle hefyd i gwrdd ag arbenigwyr gwyddor bwyd blaenllaw o bob rhan o'r Deyrnas Unedig a thu hwnt, a meithrin perthnasoedd newydd."
Beth fyddech chi'n ei ddweud wrth rywun sydd â diddordeb mewn ymuno ag un o'r pwyllgorau?
Dr Edward Fox, ACMSF: "I unrhyw un sydd ag angerdd am wyddoniaeth a diogelwch bwyd, sy'n chwilio am gyfle i ddefnyddio eu harbenigedd a'u gwybodaeth i gyfrannu at safonau bwyd y Deyrnas Unedig, byddwn i'n dweud ei bod hi'n werth cymryd rhan yn un o'r SACs yn bendant!"
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, ACNFP: “Rydw i wedi cael profiad cadarnhaol iawn dros 8 mlynedd yn rhan o Bwyllgor Cynghori Gwyddoniaeth yr ASB. Mae'r ASB wir yn gwerthfawrogi'r cyngor gwyddonol gan y Pwyllgorau a byddwch chi'n teimlo eich bod chi'n cyfrannu at yr ymdrech genedlaethol i gadw ein bwyd yn ddiogel ac o ansawdd uchel."
Yr Athro John O’Brien, SC: "Mae'r gwaith yn dod â boddhad gan ei fod yn mynd i'r afael â phynciau o arwyddocâd uchel i'r ASB, i ddefnyddwyr y Deyrnas Unedig ac i fusnesau bwyd. Fel gydag unrhyw dîm, mae aelodau'r Cyngor Gwyddoniaeth yn cyd-weithio’n ardderchog ac mae brwdfrydedd staff yr ASB yn helpu i yrru ein gwaith."
Gwnewch gais nawr i ymuno â’n Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol neu’r Cyngor Gwyddoniaeth. I ddysgu rhagor am bob Pwyllgor, gweld y gwaith maen nhw'n ei wneud a darllen yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd mewn cyfarfodydd blaenorol, ewch i'n tudalen Pwyllgorau Cynghori Gwyddonol.
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