Social science and consumer research
The FSA commissions a range of social science research, analysis and evaluation to address policy needs across the Agency. Our research is grouped into four broad categories: cross cutting; food safety, diet and nutrition, and labelling.
How we commission social science research
The Agency’s social science research is compliant with the Government Social Research service (GSR) Code of Practice and these reports are published with the GSR logo.
The FSA commissions social science research using a variety of approaches including: advertisements in the Official Journal of the European Union, open tender advertised on our website, a government research framework agreement, or limited tender. The exact mechanism is determined by the nature of the requirement and is designed to ensure we achieve the highest quality and most cost-effective outcomes.
As well as this social science research the Agency also conducts a range of consumer, market and business research, which may include mystery shopper exercises.
Find out more about the Agency's ongoing and published social science research at the links below.
Find out more
Cross-cutting social science research
Cross-cutting research focuses on issues that affect multiple policy areas and/or are multidisciplinary in nature.
Food safety social science research
Food safety research investigates areas such as food hygiene, novel foods and emerging technologies.
Archive: consumer and market research
Details of the Agency's consumer and market research.
Social science research framework
The Food Standards Agency has developed a framework of researchers who will carry out social science research to support the development, monitoring and evaluation of food policy. The framework will allow the Agency to commission social science research more effectively in future.