Government’s announcement this week on the future of the Food Standards Agency has drawn dismay and disappointment as well as plaudits from across the trade.
The FSA will maintain its role in food safety but will also be responsible for nutrition policy in all parts of the UK apart from England, where the function will be taken on by the Department of Health.
Fresh Produce Consortium ceo Nigel Jenney said he was “extremely disappointed” that nutrition policy will not be joined up across the UK at the DoH and is calling for an urgent review. “The 5 A DAY plan and Eatwell plate need significant review. There needs to be a consistent nutritional message to consumers: is it 5 A DAY or is it the Eatwell plate? If not, we risk confusing consumers.
“If the FSA has been reorganised to remove excess costs, then there is no indication in what government has said of any savings to us as taxpayers: 100 staff are moving to the DoH, but some 2,000 staff are staying at the FSA. What government has been saying is that there has to be a clear message and one owner of policy, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here.”
NFU horticulture board chairman Sarah Pettitt welcomed the transfer of country of origin labelling to DEFRA. “It is very good news that DEFRA will be in charge of labelling as it has been working hard with the FSA to push origin labelling in Europe.”
British Retail Consortium food policy director Andrew Opie added: “Avoiding a fragmented food policy is now the challenge for government departments and the devolved assemblies.”
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