FSA propose replacement of ‘out-of-date’ food safety qualification regs

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has proposed the complete withdraw of the current Food Safety (Sampling & Qualification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991,​ which specifies the qualifications necessary to be a public analyst, food analyst or food examiner for the of the food safety regulation.

The FSA Northern Ireland consultation, Review of the Food Safety (Sampling & Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991,​ proposes two separate options - do nothing and maintain the current regulations, or revoke and replace them with a consolidated Statutory Rule.

A new Statutory Rule would bring together all previous amendments already in operation and would provide additional “freedom”​ to workers throughout the EU with equivalent qualifications, said the FSA document.

“Obsolete” out-of-date provisions​

“The FSA recognises that the current Food Safety (Sampling & Qualifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 are out of date and contain obsolete provisions, in particular the qualifications and training requirements for food examiners,”​ said the consultation.

“Similarly, there are aspects of the sampling provisions that require updating. Consideration also needs to be given to ensure that qualification requirements to be a food analyst/examiner are not too restrictive and that analysts with equivalent qualifications can be considered.”​

Currently, a person cannot be appointed as a public analyst or food examiner unless they possess qualifications approved by the current regulations or other qualifications approved by the Department of Health, Social Services or Public Safety.

“Guidance would therefore need to be considered that sets out procedures for the recognition of other equivalent qualifications.”​

EU qualification freedom​

According to the proposal, this will ensure that requirements are not too restrictive to workers from the UK or other EU Member States “thus enabling worker’s right to freedom of movement.”​

“The primary aim will be to ensure that qualifications listed for food/public analysts and food examiners are up to date and to remove/amend obsolete provisions found within the Regulations,”​ the consultation document added.

“The proposal will include amendments to the food examiner qualifications and sampling provisions and to introduce guidance on procedures to recognise equivalent EU qualifications and training for food/ public analysts and food examiners.”​

Responses received from stakeholders during a May 2011 informal consultation and subsequent discussions, formed the basis of these proposals.

The closing date for responses in relation to the consultation is 4 June 2012.

To read or comment on the consultation click HERE​.