News Centre
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Our press release section contains all UK-wide media releases.
Most recent news stories
Melamine update: 21 November 2008
Friday 21 November 2008
The Agency has updated the list of products tested in the UK and found to be contaminated with melamine. As the Agency is told about any further products, this page will be updated. Melamine is an industrial chemical that should not be present in food.
FSA Board meeting 10 December 2008
Friday 21 November 2008
The next FSA open Board meeting is being held at the Food Standards Agency’s headquarters: Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH. It will begin at 1pm on Wednesday 10 December 2008 and will be chaired by Agency Chair Deirdre Hutton (pictured). You can attend in person, watch it live online or listen-in via a free phone number.
Meat Hygiene Service statement
Friday 21 November 2008
The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) responded today, Friday 21 November, to the announcement that UNISON's members have voted for industrial action by stating that the MHS believes that through further talks the two parties can reach an agreement.
High street restaurants sign up to healthy eating
Thursday 20 November 2008
Six leading high street restaurant chains – Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, Nando's, Subway and Wimpy – have today announced a commitment to make changes in their restaurants, which support Agency activity to help people eat more healthily outside the home.
Local authority audit published
Wednesday 19 November 2008
The Agency’s local authority audit report for North Somerset is now available online.
Waitrose recalls bean mix
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Waitrose has recalled its Wholesome 10 Bean Mix, 500g because it contains gluten and barley which is not mentioned on the label. This product is therefore a possible risk for people who have a gluten intolerance or those that are sensitive to barley.
Agency publishes views on scores on the doors legal issues
Tuesday 18 November 2008
The Food Standards Agency has today published its views on a number of legal questions around the establishment of a UK-wide 'scores on the doors' scheme. Scores on the doors schemes provide consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses.
Fray Bentos recalls minced beef and onion pies
Monday 17 November 2008
Fray Bentos has recalled some of its own brand Minced Beef & Onion Pie (425g), because it may contain pieces of metal. The affected batch has only been supplied to Iceland stores. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Quaker Oats recalls some oats
Monday 17 November 2008
Quaker Oats has recalled some of their own brand Quaker Oats Original (1.5kg carton) and Quaker 'Jumbo' Rolled Oats (1kg carton) because of the possible presence of a beetle known as the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) in the product. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Latest FSA News published and online
Friday 14 November 2008
This month, FSA News, the Agency’s magazine for stakeholders, highlights new advice for pregnant women to reduce their caffeine intake.
Netto recalls Starberg Shandy due to faulty bottles
Friday 14 November 2008
Netto has recalled some Starberg Shandy because there is a fault to the neck of the bottle which means there is a risk of it breaking. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Food fraud hotline launched
Friday 14 November 2008
The Food Standards Agency has set up a special food fraud hotline to gather information on known or suspected fraudulent activity in the sale or marketing of food.
Agency creates new environmental health role
Friday 14 November 2008
The Food Standards Agency has appointed Sarah Appleby as Head of Profession: Environmental Health. The creation of this new role acknowledges the importance of environmental health work in the Agency and the value that it brings to the organisation.
Update on food colours
Thursday 13 November 2008
The Food Standards Agency Chief Executive, Tim Smith, has written to stakeholders giving an update on the UK position on six artificial food colours and their effect on children's behaviour. Government Ministers have now agreed with the Agency proposal for a voluntary ban on these colours.
Bottled water legislation seminar
Thursday 13 November 2008
As part of continuing commitment to engage with producers and local authorities to support practical understanding of food law, the Food Standards Agency will be hosting its first seminar on bottled water legislation on 15 December at Aviation House, London.
Tesco withdraws spotted dick sponge puddings
Thursday 13 November 2008
Tesco has withdrawn some spotted dick sponge puddings because jam sponge puddings, containing egg, have been packed in the spotted dick packaging and egg is not mentioned on the label. This product is therefore a possible risk for people who are allergic or intolerant to egg.
Dairy Crest recalls Country Life Spreadable
Thursday 13 November 2008
Dairy Crest has recalled some Country Life Spreadable because the products may contain pieces of white rubber. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Seymours of Norfolk recalls olive oil products
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Seymours of Norfolk has recalled all of its infused olive oil products, because of the possible risk of botulism. The type of bacteria (called Clostridium botulinum) that can cause botulism, a severe type of food poisoning, has not been detected in the products. However, the products have not been made in a way that would prevent Clostridium botulinum from multiplying if it is present.
Scores on the doors update on consultation responses
Monday 10 November 2008
From May to August this year, the Agency consulted on a proposal for a UK-wide 'scores on the doors’ scheme for providing consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses. The 414 responses received across the UK (approximately 52% from industry stakeholders, 45% from enforcement bodies and 4% from consumer organisations) are available from today in the Agency's library.
Country of origin labelling guidance published
Thursday 6 November 2008
The Food Standards Agency has published revised guidance for industry and enforcement authorities on country of origin labelling, as part of its continuing commitment to improve food labelling for consumers.
New regulations for reduced alcohol wines
Thursday 6 November 2008
The European Commission will now permit EU wines that use different experimental techniques to reduce the alcohol content to be marketed across Europe.
Public opinion revealed in latest tracking survey
Thursday 6 November 2008
The Agency has published the results of its latest mini survey, which tracks changes in consumer attitudes and awareness of certain food-related issues and the Agency. The survey runs on a quarterly basis.
Asda recalls breaded haddock fillets
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Asda has recalled some if its own-brand Frozen 4 Breaded 100% Haddock Fillets because battered haddock fillets have been packed in breaded haddock fillets packaging. The battered haddock fillets contain milk that is not mentioned on the breaded haddock fillets label, making the product a possible health risk for people who are allergic to or intolerant of milk or milk constituents.
Join EFSA's scientific committee or panels
Wednesday 5 November 2008
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is renewing the membership of its Scientific Committee and eight of its ten Scientific Panels. Applications are sought from highly qualified scientists from Europe and beyond, with expertise in a relevant scientific field.
Waitrose recalls minced beef and onion pie
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Waitrose has recalled its own-brand Minced Beef and Onion Pie because it has been labelled with the wrong 'use by' date. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
All 'Samsono' meat products recalled
Monday 3 November 2008
JSC 'Samsonas', from Kaunas in Lithuania, has now recalled all of their meat products labelled with 'Samsono' brand from the UK market on a precautionary basis, due to possible contamination with high levels of Listeria monocytogenes. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action that updates the previous alerts of 22 and 29 October.
Pregnant women advised to limit caffeine consumption
Monday 3 November 2008
The Agency has today issued new advice on caffeine consumption during pregnancy. This follows the results of new FSA-funded research carried out by the Universities of Leeds and Leicester.
Codex committee seeks views on vegetable oils
Friday 31 October 2008
The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) is inviting comments on the proposed draft amendment to the standard for named vegetable oils for the inclusion of palm kernel olein and palm kernel stearin. The deadline for comments is Friday 28 November 2008.
Consultation on proposed changes to BSE testing
Friday 31 October 2008
The Food Standards Agency has today launched a joint consultation with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government on proposals to increase the minimum age at which cattle are tested for BSE. Separately, consultations have also been issued today by FSA Scotland with the Scottish Government and FSA Northern Ireland with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland.
Christmas and Halloween Chocolate Pop products withdrawn
Thursday 30 October 2008
Lucky Dip (Nottingham) Ltd has withdrawn some batches of its own brand Christmas and Halloween Chocolate Pop products because they have been tested in the UK and found to be contaminated with melamine. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Lituanica UK recalls 'Samsono' ears and tongue roll
Wednesday 29 October 2008
The Agency has issued an updated Food Alert for Action about Ears and Tongue Roll from Lithuania, labelled with the 'Samsono' brand. This is a ready to eat pork product. Further investigations have revealed that the affected product has also been imported into the UK by Lituanica UK Ltd and distributed to 22 shops in England and one shop in Northern Ireland.
Allergy and intolerance research review report published
Tuesday 28 October 2008
The Food Standards Agency has today published a report of the food allergy and intolerance programme review that took place in February 2008.