FSA Update – setting the scene

Winston Churchill

“ Gentlemen, we have run out of money, we will have

to think .....”

Coalition Machinery of Government Changes

• Agency nutritional policy to DH – 1st October 2010• Agency non food safety labelling policy has moved to

Defra• Agency focus - Food Safety• Prime Minister written statement 21st July 2010

- ....Government recognises the important role of the FSA........

• Agency realigning resources to strategic priorities, looking for efficiencies, focusing on delivery

• Local authorities are key delivery partner

Current regulatory themes

• One In One Out (includes statutory Codes) • Public Challenge (of worst regulations)• Sunset Clauses (7 years or less)• End tick box – target highest risk (Co-

regulation \ Culture)• End Gold plating (challenge EU rules)

All national regulators will be considering these issues

Food Safety – what now ?

• Effective , risk based, proportionate enforcement - vital:– EU Obligations– Consumer confidence & safety– Economy– Resources & capacity of local authorities– Job satisfaction

• Pennington Report provides good summary of some key considerations– Culture, focus, skills, enforcement tools & support– HACCP training, audit approach, guidance and RANS

Food Safety – What now ?

• Agency reviewing Strategic Plan

• Food safety outcomes will remain– Imported food safe to eat– Food produced in UK safe to eat– Consumers have information to make safe

choices– Regulation is effective, risk based and

proportionate

• Developing Enforcement & Compliance Strategy

Enforcement - Issues being considered

• Focus on outcomes e.g. compliance• Target Highest Risk e.g. serious non

compliance• Earned Recognition• More use of AES, intervention flexibilities

especially in lower risk businesses• Using incentives e.g. consumer information on

business hygiene \ safety standards• Enforcement research – what works, priorities• Good use of intelligence

Enforcement & Compliance data

• LAEMS 08-09 show LA’s targeting risk:– 0.5 m on site interventions– > 97% hygiene A\B inspections, 93% A Standards inspections

completed– 86% Premises Broadly compliant (Hygiene) NB takeaways 69%.– 168,000 Formal enforcement actions– 73,000 complaints (48% relating to premises hygiene.)

• Support > focus• NB Sampling UKFSS

Enforcement & Compliance data

• LAEMS 2009 \ 10:– 97% LAs have uploaded, 86% signed off– 2010 Report will have greater focus on

Compliance levels– Looking to get data back to LAs earlier

than last year. JWG to consider data– Aim is to support your work, focus,

approach and impact – Secondary analyses improving intelligence

Food Fraud

And finally – FHRS launched

Certificates and stickers available

Finally

• LA Food Services important - for consumer protection, confidence and EU responsibilities

• We know central support, clarity and oversight is important to protect these services

• Regional coordinator – Marcia Nightingale

Winston Churchill

“ For myself, I am an optimist – it does not seem

to be much use being anything else....”