In particular, the FSA said it had probed a number of reports of contaminated or illegal food entering the food chain, with some potentially harmful to the public.
According to the report, 1,714 food incidents were investigated last year, versus 1,505 in 2010 and 1,208 in 2009.
However, the FSA claimed if there was a single reason for the increase in the number of cases, it was most likely improved monitoring and reporting. The agency said extra testing of paan leaves, following concerns about salmonella contamination, was undoubtedly a factor, with 79 incidents of contaminated paan leaves reported to the FSA.
Pesticide incidents
Pesticide incidents had also increased, with the FSA attributing this to the increased testing of okra at border inspection posts. A total of 102 incidents involving the use of pesticides illegal in the UK and EU were reported, compared to 55 in 2010.
In addition, the number of reports of microbiological contamination had grown, from 271 in 2010 to 281 in 2011.
“Keeping food safe is the FSA’s priority and investigating food incidents is a key part of that,” said FSA chief executive Tim Smith. “Our annual report gives a real insight into the vital role we play in protecting the food chain from a wide range of risks.
“The UK has some of the more robust food safety safeguards in the world. When such incidents do occur the food industry, the FSA, other government agencies and enforcement officers locally work quickly to isolate any risks and remove affected products from our shelves. I hope this report gives consumers confidence that our systems are working and working well.”