News Centre

Most recent news stories

• New research opportunities

  Tuesday 31 January 2012

  The FSA is inviting researchers to tender for two new projects. The first is qualitative research to explore the public’s views on labelling of GM food and the second aims to explore how food safety is considered during the procurement of food in the UK public sector.

• Hull and South Tyneside launch the FHRS

  Tuesday 31 January 2012

  Hull City Council and South Tyneside Council have rolled out the Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. More than 180 local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now publishing nearly 150,000 ratings at food.gov.uk/ratings.

• Update to new FBO approval process

  Monday 30 January 2012

  Food businesses approved by the Food Standards Agency that change food business operator (FBO) after 31 January 2012 will need a new approval. The new FBO can continue to trade using the existing approval until a new approval assessment is undertaken. This change follows consultation with stakeholders.

• FSA Board meeting available online

  Wednesday 25 January 2012

  Yesterday's Agency open Board meeting is now available as a video-on-demand and as a podcast. The agenda included discussion on the draft European Commission regulation concerning the use of lactic acid to reduce microbiological surface contamination, and an update on nanotechnologies and food.

• Food hygiene is concern when eating out

  Tuesday 24 January 2012

  The Agency’s latest public attitudes tracker shows that the main food safety issue people continue to be concerned about is food hygiene when eating out. Other issues include food poisoning and the use of additives in food.

• Views wanted on algal oil

  Monday 23 January 2012

  The Agency's expert Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), is consulting on an application from a Canadian company to market oil that is produced from Schizochytrium microalgae, as a novel food ingredient.

• Cause for concern list published

  Monday 23 January 2012

  Starting today, the FSA is routinely publishing the full list of those meat plants that, on the basis of their audit reports, are considered 'cause for concern'.

• Trainee opportunities at EFSA

  Wednesday 18 January 2012

  The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is offering training opportunities for students or young professionals in the areas of science, communication or administration.

• Meat plants audit reports published

  Monday 16 January 2012

  The Food Standards Agency has today started the regular publication of audit reports of approved meat plants in England, Scotland and Wales. This marks the beginning of routine publication of these reports, in line with the FSA's commitment to transparency.

• Food Safety and Hygiene e-learning course for schools launched

  Monday 16 January 2012

  The Food Standards Agency in Wales has announced that it will be making available an e-learning course 'Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene (Catering)' to schools in Wales.

• Gluten advice for consumers

  Thursday 12 January 2012

  The Agency has produced a factsheet to help people who have an intolerance to gluten (a protein found in cereals) understand a new food labelling law, which came into force on 1 January 2012. Gluten intolerance is a serious illness that can result in damage to the digestive system so foods are not absorbed properly, which can lead to poor growth, anaemia and bone disease.

• Research call for official controls review

  Thursday 12 January 2012

  The Food Standards Agency has invited suppliers to tender for work gathering evidence on current official controls delivery. Applications are open to pre-qualified contractors already registered on two specific frameworks.

• New contracts for shellfish monitoring

  Tuesday 10 January 2012

  The Food Standards Agency has awarded contracts for services to support the official control shellfish monitoring programme in Scotland. The services were put out to open tender at the end of August 2011. New contracts, which will commence on 2 April 2012, are being developed with the successful bidders.

• FBO approval deadline fast approaching

  Tuesday 10 January 2012

  Food businesses approved by the Food Standards Agency are being urged to contact the Agency if they have changed operator since 1 January 2006. Important changes to the approvals process for food business operators (FBOs) take effect from the end of January 2012.

• Consumer views on targeted safety inspections

  Monday 9 January 2012

  A new report published by the FSA shows that consumers are broadly in favour of reducing inspections on compliant businesses so that resources can be focused on those which are higher risk.

• Meeting of Welsh Food Advisory Committee: 19 January 2012

  Thursday 5 January 2012

  The Welsh Food Advisory Committee of the Food Standards Agency is holding an open meeting in Cardiff on Thursday 19 January 2012.

• Colchester launches the FHRS

  Thursday 5 January 2012

  Colchester Borough Council has rolled out the Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. More than 180 local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now publishing over 140,000 ratings at food.gov.uk/ratings.

• Update on products free of colours associated with hyperactivity

  Thursday 5 January 2012

  The Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children.