The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning the industry to be on its guard following a recent spate of bogus phone calls from someone claiming to be employed by the FSA.
The agency has issued the warning following reports of the hoaxes involving pub chains in Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster in London, and Lincolnshire. Staff at several pubs have been contacted by someone claiming to be from the FSA. The caller says an environmental health officer (EHO) will make a visit in the next fortnight to update the pub’s manager on new food legislation and asks for their mobile phone number. They then say they will text the manager within 48 hours of the visit to confirm arrangements.
The FSA has clarified that visits to food businesses are arranged by local authorities, not the FSA, and most hygiene inspections are unannounced, with EHOs introducing themselves once they arrive at the business.
Cathy Alexander, head of the FSA’s Food Fraud Branch, said: “The FSA takes all food fraud activity extremely seriously. We do not make calls to food businesses on behalf of food law enforcement officers and the person, or people, making these calls is not from the FSA. We’re monitoring the situation and urge businesses to be on their guard.”
The FSA is alerting local authorities and urging anyone receiving these, or any other suspicious calls, to contact the agency’s food fraud hotline on 020 7276 8527 or to email the FSA Food Fraud team: foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.