The Food Standards Agency (FSA) chair Dame Deirdre Hutton has announced she will step down from her position at the end of her four-year term next July.

Hutton said: “Having completed my four years I felt it was time for a new chair to take the agency on to the next stage of its development. I have been with the agency for nearly half of its relatively short life, during which consumer confidence in the FSA as a regulator, and a source of trusted advice, has continued to rise.

“I am delighted to have helped build a lasting reputation for being science and evidence-based, independent and open whilst always putting the consumer first. Real progress has been made on ensuring safe food and healthy eating for all and there is a new strong management team led by Tim Smith.

“I look forward to working with that team, and with ministers, to ensure a smooth transition to my successor,” she said.

Alan Johnson, secretary of state for health, said: “The government has been very fortunate in having Dame Deirdre as the chair of the FSA.

“In the time she has been with the agency it has become even more trusted by consumers and respected by industry as an independent guardian of our food. We will be sorry to see her go and wish her every success for the future,” he said.