UK food policy changes come into effect

The great carve up of the UK’s Food Standards Agency responsibilities has come into effect, with the agency retaining only the food safety remit and other aspects going to the Defra and the Department of Health.

The change is being implemented by the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in the UK. The FSA was formed 10 years ago by the then Labour government, partly to help prevent future food safety crises such as BSE.

“The three departments will be working closely together to ensure joined up engagement from government on food labelling policy,” the FSA said in a statement.

The changes affect only England for now, however; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are considering whether they want parallel changes. In the meantime, all responsibilities remain with the FSA for these countries.

Full details are available at http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/labelgov

UK food policy changes come into effect

The great carve up of the UK’s Food Standards Agency responsibilities has come into effect, with the agency retaining only the food safety remit and other aspects going to the Defra and the Department of Health.

Related Topics