News Centre
Use our search function to find the news you're looking for. News stories from 2000 to 2005 have been archived on the National Archives website, see link at the bottom of the page.
Most recent news stories
Update on shellfish monitoring contracts
Friday 3 February 2012
Following on from the announcement of some shellfish monitoring contracts last month, the Food Standards Agency has now awarded contracts for shellfish sampling across nine local authority areas in Scotland.
Agency seeks views on website
Friday 3 February 2012
The Food Standards Agency is currently inviting people who use its website, food.gov.uk, to complete an online survey to let us know what you think of it and how it can be improved.
Outbreak of Salmonella Newport
Thursday 2 February 2012
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been notified by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) of an outbreak of a strain of Salmonella Newport infection that is known to have affected more than 30 people in the UK.
FSA publishes priorities on science and evidence
Wednesday 1 February 2012
The Food Standards Agency has published its Forward Evidence Plan for 2012. The plan outlines priority science and evidence activities for the coming year, including potential areas for research funding and workshops that will help develop the Agency’s evidence base.
Update on products free of colours associated with hyperactivity
Wednesday 1 February 2012
The Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children.
ACAF seeks new members
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Two new members are needed for the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF). This independent committee advises the Food Standards Agency on the safety and use of animal feeds, with particular emphasis on protecting human health.
Asda recalls layered prawn salad
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Asda is withdrawing one date code of its layered prawn salad because it's labelled incorrectly. The label on the lid states that the product is Asda tuna layered salad, and so doesn’t mention prawns. If you’re allergic or intolerant to shellfish, don’t eat this product. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
New research opportunities
Tuesday 31 January 2012
The FSA is inviting researchers to tender for two new projects. The first is qualitative research to explore the public’s views on labelling of GM food and the second aims to explore how food safety is considered during the procurement of food in the UK public sector.
Hull and South Tyneside launch the FHRS
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Hull City Council and South Tyneside Council have rolled out the Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. More than 180 local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now publishing nearly 150,000 ratings at food.gov.uk/ratings.
Update to new FBO approval process
Monday 30 January 2012
Food businesses approved by the Food Standards Agency that change food business operator (FBO) after 31 January 2012 will need a new approval. The new FBO can continue to trade using the existing approval until a new approval assessment is undertaken. This change follows consultation with stakeholders.
Doves Farm withdraws gluten-free buckwheat flour
Friday 27 January 2012
Doves Farm is withdrawing one batch of its gluten-free buckwheat flour because the product contains gluten. Although the level of gluten is low, it is above that allowed for the flour to be labelled gluten-free. If you’re intolerant to gluten, don’t eat this product. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
FSA Board meeting available online
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Yesterday's Agency open Board meeting is now available as a video-on-demand and as a podcast. The agenda included discussion on the draft European Commission regulation concerning the use of lactic acid to reduce microbiological surface contamination, and an update on nanotechnologies and food.
Food hygiene is concern when eating out
Tuesday 24 January 2012
The Agency’s latest public attitudes tracker shows that the main food safety issue people continue to be concerned about is food hygiene when eating out. Other issues include food poisoning and the use of additives in food.
Iceland recalls frozen minced lamb
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Iceland is recalling its frozen minced lamb because some batches may be contaminated with salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The affected batches have a 'best before' date of 11 October 2012. If you have bought the product don’t eat it. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Views wanted on algal oil
Monday 23 January 2012
The Agency's expert Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), is consulting on an application from a Canadian company to market oil that is produced from Schizochytrium microalgae, as a novel food ingredient.
Cause for concern list published
Monday 23 January 2012
Starting today, the FSA is routinely publishing the full list of those meat plants that, on the basis of their audit reports, are considered 'cause for concern'.
Trainee opportunities at EFSA
Wednesday 18 January 2012
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is offering training opportunities for students or young professionals in the areas of science, communication or administration.
Giants mixed dried fruit recalled
Wednesday 18 January 2012
UK Snacks has recalled Giants ‘Just Fruit’ mixed dried fruits because of incorrect allergy information. The affected products, with a ‘best before’ date of July 2012, contain sulphur dioxide not mentioned on the label. If you’re sensitive to sulphites don’t eat this product. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Morrisons recalls smoked mackerel fillets
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Morrisons is recalling all batches of certain smoked mackerel fillet products. Due to a processing error, some may be undercooked. If you have bought any of the products don’t eat them. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Meat plants audit reports published
Monday 16 January 2012
The Food Standards Agency has today started the regular publication of audit reports of approved meat plants in England, Scotland and Wales. This marks the beginning of routine publication of these reports, in line with the FSA's commitment to transparency.
Food Safety and Hygiene e-learning course for schools launched
Monday 16 January 2012
The Food Standards Agency in Wales has announced that it will be making available an e-learning course 'Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene (Catering)' to schools in Wales.
Gluten advice for consumers
Thursday 12 January 2012
The Agency has produced a factsheet to help people who have an intolerance to gluten (a protein found in cereals) understand a new food labelling law, which came into force on 1 January 2012. Gluten intolerance is a serious illness that can result in damage to the digestive system so foods are not absorbed properly, which can lead to poor growth, anaemia and bone disease.
Research call for official controls review
Thursday 12 January 2012
The Food Standards Agency has invited suppliers to tender for work gathering evidence on current official controls delivery. Applications are open to pre-qualified contractors already registered on two specific frameworks.
Waitrose withdraws salmon and dill fishcakes
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Waitrose is withdrawing its own brand Essential Salmon and Dill Fishcakes because of incorrect allergy labelling. The fishcakes contain mustard, which isn’t mentioned on the label. If you’re allergic to or intolerant of mustard, you’re advised not to eat this product. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Makro recalls various meat tapas
Tuesday 10 January 2012
Makro is recalling certain batches of tapas meat products because some are contaminated with listeria. If you have bought any of the products listed below after 6 October 2011, don’t eat them. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
New contracts for shellfish monitoring
Tuesday 10 January 2012
The Food Standards Agency has awarded contracts for services to support the official control shellfish monitoring programme in Scotland. The services were put out to open tender at the end of August 2011. New contracts, which will commence on 2 April 2012, are being developed with the successful bidders.
FBO approval deadline fast approaching
Tuesday 10 January 2012
Food businesses approved by the Food Standards Agency are being urged to contact the Agency if they have changed operator since 1 January 2006. Important changes to the approvals process for food business operators (FBOs) take effect from the end of January 2012.
Consumer views on targeted safety inspections
Monday 9 January 2012
A new report published by the FSA shows that consumers are broadly in favour of reducing inspections on compliant businesses so that resources can be focused on those which are higher risk.
