Annex A
ROLE OF
THE FOOD
STANDARDS AGENCY
The Food Standards Agency is a government department
and an independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament
in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests
in relation to food. The FSA's first strategic plan, published
in 2001, and covering the period 2001-06 set out the following
aims to:
— Reduce food borne illness by 20%
by improving food safety right through the food chain.
— Help people to eat more healthily.
— Promote honest and informative labelling
to help consumers.
— Promote best practice within the
food industry.
— Improve the enforcement of food law.
— Earn people's trust by what we do
and how we do it.
The FSA's guiding principles are putting consumers
first, being open and accessible and being independent.
The FSA is a non-Ministerial Government Department
led by a Board that has been appointed to act in the public interest
and not to represent particular sectors. As required by the Food
Standards Act, Board members have a wide range of relevant skills
and experience. The Agency is accountable to Parliament through
the Secretary of State for Health, and to the devolved administrations
in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, through the appropriate
health ministers in those countries, for its activities within
their areas. It is free to publish any advice it issues.
The FSA has UK headquarters in London, and offices
in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Meat Hygiene Service
is an Executive Agency of the Food Standards Agency.
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