News Centre
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Our press release section contains all UK-wide media releases.
Most recent news stories
Board meeting available online
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Yesterday's FSA open Board meeting is now available as a video-on-demand and a podcast. The agenda included discussion on food from cloned animals and their offspring (consideration of the European Commission report and European Food Safety Authority update), reducing the risk from E.coli O157 (controlling cross-contamination), and the Scottish National Food and Drink Policy: Recipe for Success.
Meat and milk from cloned animals
Tuesday 7 December 2010
The FSA Board met today and discussed animal cloning for food production, including recent developments on this issue, following the Board’s initial discussion in September.
FSA seeks views on revised Strategic Plan
Monday 6 December 2010
The Food Standards Agency is consulting on its revised Strategic Plan for 2010-2015. The five-year plan, first published in December 2009, sets the Agency’s strategic direction and priorities, and describes the outcomes the Agency aims to deliver to safeguard public health at all stages of the food chain.
Agency announces review of official controls delivery
Friday 3 December 2010
The Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency Tim Smith has today announced a review of how food safety regulations are enforced in the UK.
Report links undercooked liver to campylobacter food poisoning
Friday 3 December 2010
The Health Protection Agency has today published a report of outbreaks of campylobacter food poisoning linked to chicken liver products. The Food Standards Agency is therefore reminding caterers to make sure chicken liver is cooked thoroughly.
Stella Artois beer recalled
Friday 3 December 2010
InBev has recalled some batches of Stella Artois beer (250ml bottles) because they might contain small pieces of glass. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Northern Ireland food surveillance sampling report published
Wednesday 1 December 2010
The Northern Ireland Strategic Committee on Food Surveillance has published its third report on food sampling activity in Northern Ireland.
Update on products free of colours associated with hyperactivity
Wednesday 1 December 2010
The Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the six food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children.
National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme launched
Tuesday 30 November 2010
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is today launching a national food hygiene rating scheme that will help you choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving you information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels, supermarkets, and other places you eat out and buy food.
New additives approved for use
Friday 26 November 2010
New European rules on food additives allow a number of recently approved additives to be used in certain foods. The rules also permit new uses for existing additives. The European Commission Directive (2010/69/EU) on Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners came into force on 11 November 2010.
Cloned meat is safe – hypothetically speaking
Thursday 25 November 2010
At the open meeting of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) today, the committee considered a hypothetical application under the Novel Foods Regulations for the approval of meat and milk from cloned cattle and their progeny.
Survey of mycotoxins in cereal-based foods
Thursday 25 November 2010
The Agency has published the results of a survey investigating the levels of certain naturally-occurring chemicals called mycotoxins in a range of cereals and-cereal based foods. This is the first year's results from a four-year rolling surveillance programme.
Agency welcomes recommendations arising from Mason Jones inquest
Thursday 25 November 2010
The Food Standards Agency has welcomed recommendations made by the coroner at the inquest into the tragic death of Mason Jones, the five-year-old boy who died in the E.coli outbreak in south Wales in 2005. The coroner has recommended stronger enforcement of food hygiene laws.
FSA e-News – taking our wares 'to market’
Monday 22 November 2010
There’s a bit of ‘street cred’ in this month's issue of FSA e-News, with a report on the Agency’s 'Street Market Chefs' TV programme that is helping to get food safety messages across to new audiences of home cooks.
Island Sun Semolina recalled
Monday 22 November 2010
Surya Foods has recalled Island Sun Semolina because of a rodent problem at the factory. The Agency has issued a Product Information Recall Notice advising consumers not to eat the product.
Novel Foods Committee to meet on 25 November
Friday 19 November 2010
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is to hold an open workshop during the afternoon session of its 25 November meeting, being held in London.
The Co-op recalls batches of flavoured water
Friday 19 November 2010
The Co-operative Group has recalled some batches of its own-brand Lemon and Lime Flavour Still Spring Water Drink (6 x 500ml) because of an unpleasant smell and the possible risk of mould growing. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
The Soupery minestrone soup withdrawn
Thursday 18 November 2010
The Soupery has withdrawn a batch of its minestrone soup because it contains wheat that is not mentioned on the label. This makes the soup a possible health risk for anyone who is allergic to or intolerant of wheat or gluten. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Meat from three cows aged over 48 months not tested for BSE
Wednesday 17 November 2010
The Agency has been notified that meat from three cattle over 48 months of age has entered the food chain without being tested for BSE.
We're not fazed by food safety risks
Wednesday 17 November 2010
A new European Food Survey shows that people in the UK take a more measured approach to possible food safety risks than their European neighbours.
Warburtons recalls packs of 6 Crumpets
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Warburtons has recalled some packs of its own-brand 6 Crumpets with a ‘best before’ date of 22 November 2010 and 23 November 2010, because the product might contain small pieces of aluminium. The Agency has issued a Product Information Recall Notice advising consumers not to eat the product.
International conference to focus on food hygiene
Tuesday 16 November 2010
The future of food hygiene will come under the spotlight on Friday 3 December 2010 at a conference to be hosted jointly in London by the Food Standards Agency and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
FSA Board meeting 7 December 2010
Tuesday 16 November 2010
The next FSA open Board meeting is being held at the Agency's headquarters: Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH. It will begin at 1pm on Tuesday 7 December 2010 and will be chaired by Agency Chair Jeff Rooker. You can attend in person or watch it live online.
Independent assessment of Agency-funded review of organic food
Tuesday 16 November 2010
An independent assessment by the General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) has concluded that the Agency-commissioned 2009 review of the nutrient content of organic and non-organic foods followed good practice at all stages.
Budweiser beer recalled
Monday 15 November 2010
InBev has recalled a batch of Budweiser beer (300ml bottles) because it might contain small pieces of glass. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Vitabiotics withdraws six food supplements
Friday 12 November 2010
Vitabiotics has withdrawn six food supplements, in a range of pack sizes, because the products contain higher levels of folic acid than mentioned on the product labels. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Withdrawal Information Notice.
granoVita recalls more Nut Luncheon
Thursday 11 November 2010
granoVita UK Ltd is recalling more of its Nut Luncheon, because of spoilage and possible microbiological contamination. Products with ‘best before’ dates of 28 June 2013, 20 July 2013 and 13 September 2013 are being recalled. The Agency has issued an updated Product Recall Information Notice.