FSA report flags significant risks to UK food imports amid Brexit fallout

28 Jun 2022 --- A drop in inspections at food businesses and delays in setting up full import controls for high-risk food are among the “challenges” flagged in the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) latest in-depth review.

“We are under no illusions that there are major challenges ahead. Establishing full UK import controls on food by the end of next year from the EU is a priority. The longer the UK operates without assurance that products from the EU meet our high food and feed safety standards, the less confident we can be that we can effectively identify potential safety incidents,” says Susan Jebb, chair, FSA. 

Over the last two years, the UK food system has faced considerable upheaval due to the country’s departure from the EU, the impacts of COVID-19 and the recent disruption caused by the war in Ukraine.

The UK’s exit from the EU means it no longer has full access to the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) though it continues to receive notifications concerning the UK. 

The FSA and FSS have built alternative arrangements with other international partners and invested in new surveillance approaches. 

Approach with cautionThe UK no longer has full access to the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
Local authority inspections declined during the reporting period. Even though there are signs of improvement, particularly on hygiene inspections, local authorities continue to face resourcing constraints that could affect progress.

The inaugural annual report, “Our Food: An annual review of food standards across the UK,” is the first in a series of reports published annually. 

The main concern highlighted by the report is the drop in inspections of food businesses due to resourcing pressures local authorities face. 

The situation is being repaired, particularly in food hygiene inspections of cafes and restaurants. However, progress is being constrained by resources and availability of qualified professionals.  

The UK government recently stated that full import controls for goods coming from the EU would be further delayed and replaced by a modernized approach to border controls by the end of 2023. 

Until then, the UK food safety authorities will manage risks through pre-notifications.

The delay in establishing full UK import controls is another major concern for high-risk food and feed, which has reduced the ability to prevent the entry of unsafe food into the UK market. 

To enhance levels of assurance on higher-risk EU food like meat, dairy and eggs and food and feed that has come to the UK via the EU, it is essential that improved controls are put in place by 2023.

“We, along with our partners in government, must all make sure that the current challenges in the food system are resolved in a way that puts us on course for a safe, healthier and more sustainable future food system,” explains Jebb.

The report warns that it is vital that the UK can prevent entry of unsafe food and identify and respond to changing risks. 

Supporting standardsNew free trade agreements are in progress with Australia and New Zealand.
The FSA and FSS highlight that standards that support consumers and provide assurance include provenance and authenticity, production standards, composition and nutritional content, labeling and advertising of food and information that enables consumers to make informed choices based on the values important to them.

Industry compliance with regulatory standards, and the capacity and capability of authorities to uphold them, are essential elements in assessing whether food standards are being maintained in practice. 

While many standards are mandated in law, there are also voluntary standards, maintained by industry or supported through independent assurance schemes, that can exceed legal requirements and reassure consumers when making informed food choices.

Looking to the future
Future reports may consider broader production standards, such as more specific issues related to animal welfare and the impact of production on the environment. These issues are relevant to new free trade agreements (FTAs). New FTAs with Australia and New Zealand are also in the process of being ratified. 

“It is encouraging for UK consumers and our international trading partners that this report provides reassurance that the high food standards we enjoy in the UK have been upheld during a tough period for the food system,” says Jebb. 

“However, the effects of recent momentous events are still being felt and will continue to have an impact on our food systems for many years to come,” says Jebb. 

In addition, there has been a decrease in incidents related to food allergens from 2019 to 2021, which may indicate improvements in industry awareness and practice following several high-profile incidents, the FSA reports. 

By Inga de Jong

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