The UK food sector has had a shaky year. A number of tragic cases have highlighted the importance of effective supply chain management.
The UK food sector has had a shaky year. A number of tragic cases – including the high-profile death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse after eating a Pret a Manger sandwich that didn’t list all contained allergens – have highlighted the importance of effective supply chain management.
Now the next few years are proving to be a concern for those responsible for ensuring food safety. In early December, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board held a meeting where it discussed its own “resilience, capability and capacity” following Brexit.
What was the outcome and will it be enough to address previous problems faced by the food industry?
FSA prepares for Brexit
The FSA said it’s “delivering a two-year programme to prepare the food and feed regulatory regime for the UK’s exit from the EU”. According to the FSA, its Board is still focused on “preserving current levels of consumer protection and confidence”. This is going to be essential to preventing to sadness caused by avoidable deaths.
This year, the FSA set up its Regulating Our Future (ROF) campaign. It was designed to create a regulation system that’s “modern, risk-based, proportionate, robust and resilient” when the UK does leave the European Union. With the level of change expected when that happens, the FSA explained that we’re going to need a “flexible and responsive regulatory system”.
The December meeting resulted in the FSA Board welcoming the news that the FSA would keep taking risk management decisions after Brexit, and that it would lead on handling food safety incidents.
Previous food safety problems
Why the renewed focus on food safety? The meeting follows on from FSA Chairman Heather Hancock saying: “We have had growing concerns that the delivery of food standards is not working as well as it should be.”
Cases like Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s show exactly how big the problem has got. We know it didn’t have to happen. Effective supply chain management and the correct labelling of the food sold could’ve prevented it.
The FSA Board has agreed that labelling pre-packed food for direct sale offers “important protection” but also found that it can’t be the only answer. It agreed that a “comprehensive redesign” of food standards official controls is necessary. And it is certainly necessary if the UK is to protect people after Brexit.
Food safety risk
Local authorities also seem to be struggling to manage the situation. The FSA carried out a survey in November that revealed that 15% of food businesses are unrated for food standards risk. But it also found that the figures for some local authorities are higher.
Ms Hancock went on to explain that the FSA’s results have shown that food standards delivery is being hindered by inadequate resources and an approach to regulation she described as “out of date and inflexible”.
She added that a “fundamental look at how we provide better protection for consumers in the future” is needed. The FSA Chairman said this would have to include flexibility to respond to rapidly changing circumstances and targeting risks “wherever they arise”. She promised that addressing food standards is going to be “the next priority in our programme to reform and improve food regulation.”
Predict not react
The FSA Board is planning to introduce a new approach that focuses on predicting food risks, rather than just reacting to them when the damage has already been done. This will involve examining current procedures and resources and whether the existing ones are effective enough.
Ensuring the right systems and processes are in place is essential to keeping your food business safe. A platform like Dynamic Risk Indicator offers a convenient and simple way to manage your company’s compliance.
As your food business gears up for the holiday season – and more people head out for meals and parties – the risks are heightened. You’re already aware that it’s now even more important to ensure you protect your customers by taking that proactive approach. As you know, it could be the difference between life and death.
If you want to make a start on this proactive approach, just give us a ring on 0161 967 1616 or pop your details in the form below and we’ll be in touch.