Food Standards Agency's Strategy to 2015

When the Strategy to 2015 was first published in December 2009, we made a commitment to review it annually to ensure it is fit for purpose and continues to protect public health. It is the March 2011 update of that Strategy to 2015 that can be found below. A copy of the original strategy as well as previous strategies for the period 2001–2010 can be found in our archives at the link below.

The strategy is written in a way that consumers can understand and explains the range of work we do across the UK. It has also been informed by our core principles of putting the consumer first, openness and independency and being science and evidence-based. The core principles guide the work of the FSA. To reflect the greater involvement of the FSA in enforcement, following the merger with the Meat Hygiene Service, we have included a new core principle: Enforcing food law fairly.

The six outcomes the FSA aims to deliver are:

• foods produced or sold in the UK are safe to eat
• imported food is safe to eat
• food producers and caterers give priority to consumer interests in relation to food
• consumers have the information and understanding they need to make informed choices about where and what they eat
• regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks
• enforcement is effective, consistent, risk-based and proportionate and is focused on improving public health

The strategy explains how the FSA works with Government, businesses and enforcement delivery partners to ensure food safety and standards are applied and enforced consistently throughout the UK, and that national and local priorities and circumstances are reflected in the FSA’s work.

The FSA aims to provide reliable, up-to-date information about food to help consumers make informed choices. It will continue to work with consumers and consumer groups to do this, and ensure UK food interests are represented in the European Union and internationally.

The Agency's Science and Evidence Strategy 2010–15 describes the priorities for the evidence we will need and the activities we will carry out to ensure we obtain and use science and evidence effectively in our work. It will support the delivery of the Agency's strategic objectives, test our progress and inform the development of our work beyond 2015. The Science and Evidence Strategy has been updated in line with the Strategy to 2015 and can be found at the link below.

If you wish to see previous versions of our Strategy to 2015, please look at the National Archives version of this page at the link below.