Privacy notice for novel foods and GM foods policy

The Food Standards Agency will be what is known as the ‘Controller’ of the personal data provided to us.

Purpose and lawful basis for processing

We need to collect this data for the purpose of administration in terms of contact details for businesses in respect to information dissemination on either novel foods or GM and policy.

We do this in line with the performance of our official duties. We will not collect any personal data from you which we do not need.

Failure to provide the information could result in delays in correspondence reaching you in a timely manner.

What we need and how we use it

We use the content of the correspondence we are sent on novel foods and in particular our responses as part of the information to decide whether a food needs to be assessed under the Novel Food Regulation. This is to ensure we give consistent advice to consumers and businesses. 

We may analyse this data along with other information we hold about you and information we have obtained from public and/or private sources for the purpose of helping us evaluate risk. We do this in line with the exercise of official authority vested in us under the Food Standards Act and the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

How and where we store your data and who we may share it with 

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to carry out these functions, and in line with our retention policy. This means that this data will be retained for seven years from receipt.

No third parties have access to your personal data unless the law allows them to do so. In line with this commitment your information may be passed to other relevant government departments, public bodies, and organisations with an interest in either novel foods or GM issues. We may also share the data as part of risk evaluation and analysis with public bodies or other organisations to assist them in the performance of their official duties or when it is in the public interest.

For more information, please see the How and where we store your data and who we may share it with section in our Personal Information Charter. 

International transfers 

For more information on international transfers, please see the International transfers section in our Personal Information Charter. 

EU citizens 

For more information on EU Citizens Privacy Notice, please see the EU citizens section in our Personal Information Charter. 

Your rights 

For more information on your rights, please see the Your rights section in our Personal Information Charter. 

Contact us 

If you have any queries concerning this Privacy Notice, your personal information or any questions on our use of the information, please email our Data Protection Officer in the FSA, who is the Information Management and Security Team Leader using the address below.