National Reference Laboratories (NRLs)

National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) are a group of expert labs across the UK. Their job is to make sure that tests on animal feed, food, and animal health are carried out properly and consistently. They also help other official labs by giving advice and support on how to carry out these tests. This helps make sure food safety checks are based on risk and are fair, protecting consumers.

In Scotland, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is legally required to choose which labs act as NRLs for food and feed. In the rest of the UK, this responsibility lies with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). FSS and the FSA work together to appoint the relevant food and feed NRLs. The FSA also appoints NRLs providing specific EU requirements for Northern Ireland

For animal health and live animals in Great Britain (GB), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for choosing NRLs. In Northern Ireland, this role is handled by DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs).

In GB, NRLs are appointed under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 for Official Feed and Food Controls, as amended and retained in UK legislation under Statutory Instrument 2020/1481.

Antimicrobial resistance 

Food, Water & Environment (FWE) Microbiology Network 
UK Health & Security Agency (UKHSA) 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325

Bacterial Contamination of Bivalve Molluscs 

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) 
Address: Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB 
Phone: 01305 206600

Campylobacter

FW&E Microbiology Network
UKHSA 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325

Chemical Hazards 

Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) 
Address: Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ 
Phone: 01904 462000

Coagulase positive Staphylococci, including Staphylococccus aureus 

FW&E Microbiology Network
UKHSA 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325

Escherichia coli, including Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC)

FW&E Microbiology Network 
UKHSA 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325

Feed and Food Additives

Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) 
Address: Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ 
Phone: 01904 462000

Foodborne Viruses 

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
Address: Barrack Road, Weymouth, DT4 8UB 
Phone: 01305 206600

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Laboratory of the Government Chemist Ltd 
Address: Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY 
Phone: 020 8943 7000

Listeria monocytogenes

FW&E Microbiology Network 
UKHSA 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325

Marine Biotoxins and Phytoplankton

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) 
Shellfish Toxin Unit - VSD Stormont 
Address: Stoney Road, Belfast, BT4 3SD 
Phone: 028 9052 5636

Parasites (Echinococcus/ Trichinella/ Anisakis) 

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) 
National Agri-Food Innovation Campus 
Address: Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ 
Phone: 01904 462000

The analysis and testing of Zoonoses (Salmonella)

FW&E Microbiology Network 
UKHSA 
Address: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ 
Phone: 020 8327 7160/7325