In the News

UK Food Standards Agency Reorganized; Will Focus on Food Safety

Jul 22, 2010

The United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) will become more focused on food safety policy and enforcement as many of its other responsibilities are moved to other departments. Responsibility for nutrition policy in England will move from FSA to DOH, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be responsible for country of origin labeling (COOL) and other food labeling issues not related to food safety, and food composition policies in England. FSA will retain responsibility for nutrition and labeling policy in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A press release on the reorganization was issued by the Department of Health (DOH) on July 20, 2010.

Specific nutrition policies that DOH will now be responsible for include: EU negotiations on nutritional labeling; health and nutrition claims; calorie information in catering establishments; reformulation to reduce salt, saturated fat and sugar levels in food; and nutrition surveys and research. Approximately 70 positions will move to DOH from FSA.

In addition to food labeling policies in England, Defra will now be responsible for food composition standards and labeling not related to food safety, and EU negotiations for all non-safety aspects of food labeling except for nutrition. Approximately 25 policy positions will move to Defra from FSA.

In DOH's press release on the reorganization, Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley stated, "It's absolutely crucial for the Food Standards Agency to continue providing independent expert advice to people about food safety." He added that the move will enable a clear, consistent public health service to be created.