I recently attended Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum policy conference The future of food regulation - adapting to COVID-19, local regulation and enforcement, food standards, and the future of the regulatory system, 8th July 2020, to hear how regulation and standards are due to change post-Brexit. 

The Food Standards Agency are a non-ministerial department in government with an independent board, and are tasked with food standards and regulation in England. Food standards and regulation play an important role in protecting consumers, ensuring that the quality of food available is of a high standard and that it is safe. The details that have been emerging about what the implications of trade deals might mean for UK consumers, including importing chlorinated chicken and restrictions on labelling, have been extremely concerning for consumers.

In 2018/19, the National Audit Office produced a report on food safety and standards, looking at changes happening within the food industry and to evaluate potential new risks that might arise as a result of Brexit.  This report found a worrying deficit in government planning and this is what they said:

"New trading relationships after EU exit could increase the risk of food incidents, and Government does not have a coherent view on what a financially sustainable food regulation system should look like."

The report also addresses the information available to consumers to enable them to make informed choices about the food they consume.  The Food Hygiene Rating System initiative has been a successful scheme to support informed choices by consumers.  Whilst the FHRS is a mandatory requirement for businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland, it is still voluntary in England.  The NAO report recommends:

"The FSA should press ahead with its ambition to introduce mandatory display of hygiene ratings in food businesses in England."

In light of this recommendation, it is perhaps disappointing that the government's calorie labelling initiative will also be voluntary.  Read more here: https://bit.ly/3bBDYOB

The regulation of food hygiene in England is undertaken by Local Authorities, but funding cuts in recent years have seen a decline in resources available to maintain regulatory activities to uphold food standards and hygiene at a local level.  Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection and Food Policy, Which?, noted that it is possible to get an indication of the level of investment in food hygiene being made by a Local Authority by reviewing the number of businesses that have a zero rating in that area. 

Which? have been undertaking research into consumer concerns in relation to food standards and regulation in post-Brexit Britain.  95% of people think that it is important that food standards remain the same post-Brexit, and 93% of people feel the need for an independent body overseeing standards.  Their research has shown that it is people on lower incomes who feel most strongly about food standards remaining the same post-Brexit, as they feel that they will have more limited choice if standards are compromised.

Rt Hon the Lord Whitty, Member, House of Lords Food, Poverty, Health and Environment Committee raised the question of whether regulations could be designed to target particular areas, such as in relation to the diets of children and tackling obesity.  He highlighted that the issue of diet is quite essential and one which there is increasing public awareness and perception.  There is a concern about the diet of our coming generation, and that is something that the policy makers will have to face up to. He noted that the Select Committee have discussed whether the boundary between the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health should be revisited in an attempt to tackle health concerns such as obesity.  

Sue Davies, Which?, said that actions such as tighter controls over price promotions, restrictions to TV advertising and online marketing to children, and more information when eating out of home (such as calorie labelling) have always come out prominently with consumer support in their research. With labelling and origin currently under threat of upcoming trade deals, consumers may look to innovations by food producers working to increase transparency in the supply chain to make informed choices about where their food comes from. 

Happerley, an initiative started by farmers, aims to create a more level playing field in the supply chain, empowering consumers by providing access to the origin and journey of the food they purchase.  They have developed both an app and an online platform, and act as an independent publisher of ingredients and supply chains. Their service works through the use of a QR code, which consumers can scan and search for the Happerley Transparent food and drink suppliers and supply chains. They aim to build the world's most transparent food and drink network. Matthew Rymer, Founding Director, Happerley, gave an example of restaurants in his local area advertising Herefordshire steaks on their menus.  When he investigated this further, he determined that the steaks were being purchased locally but sourced and imported from Australia. 

The importation of produce from abroad poses a threat to UK producers.  Chlorine and hormones are higher levels of industrialisation than are currently permitted by the EU.  Sian Edmunds, Partner, Burges Salmon raised the issue of imported products like chicken and beef, produced to a lower standard, undercutting home producers in the UK market. 

COVID-19 put the issue of food poverty in the UK in high relief.  It has also highlighted the importance of having access to high quality nutrition to support health.  Food standards and regulation will play a vital role in mitigating the as yet unknown risks that new trade deals might expose UK consumers to in post-Brexit Britain.

Post Contributor:

Caitriona Fitzsimons Digital Reporter