The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has expressed concern about the ability of local authorities to meet inspection targets and the impact this could have on standards.
Comments were made in written evidence submitted as part of an inquiry looking at whether the local government finance system in England is fit
Continue Reading FSA voices concern about lack of local authority resources for food safety
Politicians have called for funding to be maintained for meat inspections after hearing evidence on the scale of products being seized at the border.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee examined biosecurity measures for animal and plant imports to the UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Continue Reading Committee hears about issues with meat inspections at UK border
Researchers have said more needs to be done to ensure that the growth of dark kitchens is accompanied by effective food safety measures.
Dark kitchens offer ready-to-eat meals for delivery or takeout through online platforms, including social media, mobile applications, restaurant websites or via phone/email. In 2020, it was estimated that
Continue Reading Study assesses food safety challenges with dark kitchens
An investigation by a consumer watchdog has revealed inadequate staffing levels for trading standards in many areas of the United Kingdom.
As part of a Freedom of Information request into capacity and performance, consumer group Which? contacted 187 trading standards services in England, Wales, and Scotland. Reponses were received by
Continue Reading Consumer group highlights lack of trading standards staff
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is to develop guidance for sellers of food on social media after a survey found buying products in this way was more common than predicted.
Research focused on ready-to-eat (RTE) food sold on Facebook Marketplace in Scotland. A total of 476 advertisements were included in the
Continue Reading Food Standards Scotland looks into food sold on Facebook, other social media
Devon County Council has become the latest authority to warn about the safety of American snacks, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, which covers Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay, said imported sweets not approved for sale are increasingly being seen in shops across the region.
Continue Reading Further UK warnings about additives in American snacks
Parents in the United Kingdom have been warned again about unauthorized additives in imported American snacks, sweets, and fizzy drinks.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said confectionery items are being promoted by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok. The not-for-profit group previously raised the issue in late 2023.
Continue Reading Warning in UK about imported American snacks
A review of a system in Scotland that combined food hygiene and food standards inspections has found it is not yet working as well as it was hoped.
The Food Law Rating System (FLRS), introduced in 2019, combines the rating systems for food hygiene and food standards by which businesses
Continue Reading Scottish inspection system ‘not working as intended’
Two councils in England seized imported American cereal, candy, crisps, and drinks during operations.
More than 670 items at an Oxford Street candy shop were destroyed after being found by Westminster City Council’s environmental health team.
Products included American cereal, crisps, and fizzy drinks that contained additives, colorings, and e-numbers
Continue Reading English council seizures include American products
According to a report by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), a lack of resources and staff shortages continue to threaten food standards.
The review analyzes a range of data to assess whether food standards improved, declined, or were maintained during 2023. Evidence comes from local
Continue Reading Food agencies raise resource concerns in food standards report