The Food Standards Agency, the UK’s food watchdog, was today (12 July) unable to explain the origin of reports claiming it was set to be abolished.
Reports in the UK this weekend suggested the FSA would be disbanded by the country’s coalition government, which is looking to save money in a bid to reduce public spending and lower the nation’s debts.
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The FSA, which was set up in 2000 to oversee food safety in the UK, but now makes recommendations on government policy on diet and nutrition, would see its functions move to the UK’s Department of Health and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, reports said.
However, a spokesperson for the FSA insisted she had “no idea” where the claims had come from and said: “It’s not from us.” She added it was “business as normal” at the agency today.
This morning, the Department of Health told just-food that “no decision” had been taken on the future of the FSA, although it said “all arms-length bodies” would go under review.
The FSA has faced criticism that it has strayed too far from its original remit of food safety with its recommendations on how to tackle obesity in the UK.
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