The agency set out costings of its safety plan under five areas. Risk-based regulation – including meat hygiene inspection will need £67m a year – 45 per cent of the total budget. It added the Meat Hygiene Service would be merged with the FSA next year.
Ensuring food produced or sold in the UK is safe to eat, will cost £34m annually, while the body said it would need £32m to promote consumer awareness and understanding of food safety and healthy eating.
Some 8 per cent or £12m would need to be spent inspecting imported food while just 4 per cent or £6m was need in the budget to help ensure food products and catering meals were healthier. This includes reducing levels of saturated fats, salty and calories in food products and making sure portion sizes are appropriate.