Intersessional Papers - 2006
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Advisory Committee on Research annual report 2005
This paper introduces the Advisory Committee on Research (ACR) Annual Report 2005, highlighting the ACR�s work in 2005 and its provisional work programme for 2006.
Amendment to the survey report on market for higher dose food supplements and use of advisory statements
This paper discusses the amendment to the survey report on the market for higher dose food supplements and use of advisory statements.
Chernobyl restrictions surveys 2005
The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl incident is on 26 April 2006.
Consideration of the Sustainable Consumption Roundtable recommendation
This paper discusses the recommendation from the Sustainable Consumption Roundtable (SCR), addressed to the Agency. The Agency needs to give an initial reaction by 16 June and the Board will have the opportunity to discuss the issue at its meeting on 14 June as part of the sustainable development briefing.
Draft FSA regulatory review on nanotechnology in food: issue for comment
Nanotechnology is assuming greater importance as a policy issue across Government. It has the potential to impinge on a number of food related areas.
Draft FSA response discussing setting minimum and maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in foodstuffs
Draft Food Standards Agency response following the first stakeholder meeting to discuss the European Commission document on setting minimum and maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in foodstuffs.
European Commission Green Paper on promoting healthy diets and physical activity
This occasional paper is to inform board members that the European Commission has launched a consultation on a Green Paper, 'Promoting healthy diets and physical activity: a European dimension for the prevention of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases.'
FSA quarterly public attitudes tracking research
This paper summarises the results from the March wave of the Quarterly Public Attitudes Tracking research commissioned by the FSA.
Folic acid work update
The purpose of this note is to update on the progress of the draft Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) report on �Folic acid and the prevention of disease�, following a delay in publication and the Agency's work on folic acid.
Food hygiene campaign
This note is to alert Board members that the Agency will be re-screening its food hygiene TV advertisement - 'Sausages', which forms part of the Food Standards Agency's national Food Hygiene Campaign and to provide outline briefing on it.
Horizon Scanning Programme
This inter-sessional paper summarises the FSA's Horizon Scanning Programme. It provides background information to the Board, in advance of its discussion at the February open meeting of Science Strategy and the Governance of Science.
House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee - allergy and allergic disease
This paper addresses the Select Committee's call for evidence on allergy and allergic disease. The Agency will prepare a submission of evidence relevant to policy issues that are within the Agency's remit, covering primarily food policy and labelling and our food allergy and intolerance research programme.
INT 06/06/08 - Update on market for higher dose food supplements and use of advisory statements
This paper refers to the September 2005 Board agreement on an interim position for establishing maximum safe levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements, in the absence of EC proposals, as the basis for the Agency�s advice to Health Ministers on the input that the UK should make to the EC discussions on establishing such levels in EC legislation.
Industry commitments to salt reduction on FSA and DH websites
Discussion on Industry commitments to salt reduction.
Nutrition advice for major institutions
This paper discusses the development of guidance on food provision in major institutions as agreed in the Strategic Plan 2005-2010. This paper highlights the publication of the first piece of advice.
Omega 3 fats: study published on the risk and benefits of omega 3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease and cancer
A study by Hooper et al. (2006)1 published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has reviewed evidence on the effect of long-chain and shorter-chain omega 3 fatty acids on total mortality, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Outcome of consultation to review available evidence on the safety of kava kava in foods
This intersessional paper informs Board members of the outcome of the review of evidence on the safety of kava kava and the Food Standards Ageny's decision that the Kava Kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 should remain in place.
Publication of the Agency Science Strategy 2005-2010
This paper introduces the final version of the Agency's Science Strategy 2005-2010, which will be published on 4 July 2006, in line with the Board's discussion of a draft Strategy at its 9 February open meeting.
Publication of the consultation paper improving the health and nutrition of Scotland's children
This paper highlights the launch of the Scottish Executive Education Department's (SEED) consultation paper, Improving the Health and Nutrition of Scotland's Children, on 3 May 2006.
Questions arising relating to food allergies
At the April 2006 Board meeting, where a progress report on food allergy initiatives was presented, two questions were asked regarding whether food allergy was included in inspections of food businesses, and whether catering awards in Northern Ireland and Scotland took account of food allergy.
Second progress report on strategy for the control of mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in cows' milk
In May 2002, the Agency's strategy for the precautionary control of MAP in cows' milk, developed in consultation with DEFRA, the industry and other stakeholders, was presented to the Board.
Successful conclusion of the project to apply EU food hygiene regulations in the UK
This paper discusses the successful conclusion of the project to apply the EU food hygiene regulations in the UK. This report back is provided with the agreement of the responsible Head of Division Tom Murray.
Survey to assess the market for high dose vitamin and mineral supplements in the UK
The EC Food Supplements Directive (2002/46) makes provisions for setting maximum levels of vitamins and minerals for use in food supplements.
Sustainable Development Action Plan
This paper seeks the Board's endorsement of the Agency's Sustainable Development Action Plan (see Annexe I).
Sustainable development
This paper provides background information for a Board briefing on sustainable development in June 2006. The paper summarises previous Board discussions which culminated in the agreement of the position statement in October 2004. It also reports progress towards the delivery of the position statement which was published in the Agency's Strategic Plan 2005/2010.
UK National Control Plan
This paper is to update the Board on progress developing the UK's National Control Plan (NCP) in advance of discussion of the plan at the December 2006 Board meeting. The post-consultation draft of the NCP is appended to this paper.
Update on market for higher dose food supplements and use of advisory statements
In September 2005, the Board agreed an interim position for establishing maximum safe levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements, in the absence of EC proposals, as the basis for the Agency�s advice to Health Ministers on the input that the UK should make to the EC discussions on establishing such levels in EC legislation.