The Food Standards Agency, the UK food watchdog, will lose its remit over nutrition and labelling after the coalition government confirmed it would revamp the agency.
The UK’s Department of Health (DoH) said this morning (20 July) that the FSA will have a “renewed focus” on food safety in the country.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The announcement came after reports last week claimed the FSA was set to be disbanded.
Responsibility over nutrition and labelling will switch to the DoH and the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The DoH will oversee nutrition policy in England, while Defra will become responsible for country-of-origin labelling and “various other non-safety-related food labelling and food composition policies” in the country.
See Also:
However, the FSA will keep responsibility for nutrition and labelling policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
“It’s absolutely crucial for the Food Standards Agency to continue providing independent expert advice to people about food safety. But bringing nutrition policy into the Department makes sense. It will enable a clear, consistent public health service to be created,” UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said.
“I believe – in the-long term – we’ll have a clearer and less bureaucratic system for public health. The end result will focus on turning expert advice and support into better health.”
Some 70 jobs will move from the FSA to the DoH, while 25 posts will switch from the agency to Defra.
