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FSA 17/03/03
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
Report by Catherine Brown
GENERAL ACTIVITY UPDATE
1. Since my last report I have continued to meet a wide range of stakeholders,
including the Trading Standards Institute and the Chartered Institute of
Environmental Health, the Advertising Standards Agency and Fareshare to
discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly focusing on the future
regulatory framework.
2. I also attended the Annual National Farmers Union (NFU) Conference 2017 in
Birmingham on the Chair’s behalf, which focussed on the exit from the
European Union (EU) and making it a success for UK farmers.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
3. Naturally at this time of year in particular the Executive team and others have
also been working hard to ensure that we meet our financial obligations for
2016/17 and produce plans for 2017/18 to support Business Committee
direction setting and prioritisation.
4. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) expects to meet all of its spending limits in
2016/17 in its Westminster and Wales budgets. Due to the dissolution of the
Northern Ireland Assembly there are some issues we are managing relating to
the end year targets and accounts there. While a fuller discussion may be
appropriate in the context of the Business Committee, I would like to place on
record my thanks to all the teams across all three countries who are working
to ensure that we deliver our commitments and financial targets.
REGULATING OUR FUTURE
5. Regulating Our Future continues to make good progress across the breadth
of its scope and absorb a good deal of Executive attention as well as work by
others all across the FSA and beyond. The current focus is on:
Registration/Permit to Trade, where we are seeking to develop a more
effective approach to the registration of food businesses and are exploring
options with regards to a Permit to Trade regime; Assurance, where we are
developing a framework of system standards that will be required for the
effective operation of the new model, the role of data within the new model
and development of the business case; and associated benefits management
regime, where we are working collaboratively to draw on the expertise of
academia.
6. We have successfully launched and mobilised the Consumer Panel, the
Industry Expert Advisory Group and the Professional Expert Advisory Group.
Together these enable stakeholders to provide their views and contribute to
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the development of the future operating model. In recognition that Small
Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have specific needs, we have expanded the
Industry Group to include additional representation from the SME community.
EXIT FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
7. Work to exit the European Union (EU) is a top priority for the FSA, and at the
January Portfolio Board, it was agreed that the EU Exit programme would
become a formal programme within the FSA Portfolio and that the Executive
Management Team would act as the Programme Board for this work. A
dedicated programme manager and communications support has been
assigned to the EU Exit Programme.
8. The FSA is continuing to work closely with the Department for Exiting the EU
on the UK’s withdrawal and future relationship with the EU, and is liaising
closely with other government departments particularly the Department of
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Health
(DH).
9. It will be important for the Board to ensure that the FSA continues to prioritise
the protection of public health and consumer interests in relation to food.
Ongoing consumer insight research is exploring current consumer concerns
and interests with regards to food post-referendum and over the period of
withdrawal from the EU.
ACRYLAMIDE
10. The Chief Scientific Adviser’s report on acrylamide in November 2015
highlighted that at the levels we are exposed to in food, acrylamide could be
increasing the risk of cancer. In the light of further evidence from a new Total
Diet Study which confirmed that consumers are currently exposed to higher
levels of acrylamide than is desirable, we ran a communications and
awareness raising exercise on the risks associated with excess intakes of
acrylamide in January. We worked closely with the Science Media Centre
and partners, including the Food and Drink Federation, Cancer Research,
NHSChoices, Waitrose, and the British Hospitality Association to try and
ensure balanced coverage of the nature of the risk, and briefed the Chair fully
on the planned activity before it began. The simple message to “go for gold”
in preparing products prone to generate acrylamide, and the creative device
of working with Olympian Denise Lewis as a lead messenger was highly
effective in reaching audiences and building awareness.
11. Our routine post marketing analysis suggests that the exercise was highly
successful in achieving its objectives. We generated 366 pieces of media
coverage, of which 50% were strongly favourable, 18% were favourable, 24%
were neutral, and 8% were unfavourable. We reached 69% of the adult
population (36 million people) and public awareness of acrylamide has
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increased from 16% to 36%. On the basis of an investment of £50,000, I
judge that to be a remarkable result.
12. Of course, there are those who believe that messages that encourage the
public to adjust their consumption behaviours smack of “the nanny state” and
we need to be mindful of the risks of this view to our reputation. Our regular
tracking suggests the acrylamide communication activity has had no
measurable net effect on the public reputation of the FSA, and we are working
to identify improvements to the way we work with those stakeholders who do
have particular concerns to try and make sure we mitigate them more
effectively where possible in future.
13. As we do with every communications initiative, we have undertaken a
“lessons to be learned” exercise, and identified a number of improvements we
can make to the way that we plan and implement initiatives. I am particularly
pleased that under the aegis of the Chief Scientific Advisers’ (CSAs’) network
a group of CSAs focusing on risk communication has been formed which will
play an important role in contributing to this, and enhanced collaboration with
senior players in the Department of Health communications and science
functions, will ensure that future campaigns complement excellent consumer
facing impacts and industry collaborations with stronger relationship
management across government stakeholders. We are also awaiting the
outcome of a review led by the Government Communication Profession into
our communications approach more widely, that the Chair asked to have
undertaken in light of the acrylamide work.
14. We are in the process of planning our communications activity for next year,
and will engage the Board as well as the Chair in the planning process.
CAMPYLOBACTER CAMPAIGN
15. As this is my last report, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone
in the FSA and more widely who has worked on our campaign to reduce
campylobacter in chickens over the last three years. Businesses involved in
poultry meat production have stepped up and shown great commitment to
addressing this issue, and the steps that they and the retailers have taken
have led to a reduction in the proportion of the most highly contaminated meat
on sale from 27% to 10% between 2013 and 2017.
16. While there was initially very significant resistance to our work on this issue,
the Board remained stalwart and ensured that the Agency remained focused
on protecting consumer interests and public health, acted on the basis of
robust scientific evidence, and used transparency to drive business change. I
would like to thank the then Chair, Tim Bennett, and the Board members at
the time for their courage and consistency.
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17. Our successful approach to campylobacter reduction was based not on
traditional regulatory intervention, but on the use of transparency and
consumer pressure to support the market to move in a direction highly
conducive to public health. While the changing environment will require the
FSA to concentrate on more traditional regulatory activities, I would suggest
that the role of such interventions in delivering consumer benefits, in line with
our statutory mission, not be disregarded.
18. We will be publishing further official statistics on campylobacter levels and
their human health impacts on the day before the Board, which I will update
on orally as part of my report.
OUR PEOPLE
Physical spaces
19. Work continues on our move out of Aviation House, in line with the
Government’s property strategy, and on the development of our flexible
working offer which supports our colleagues to work highly effectively together
to deliver the outcomes consumers need from the FSA.
20. We have identified future requirements for our new office space in London
(taking the outcomes of staff consultation into account). The requirements
are: central London location for stakeholder engagement; a single office site
where staff can come together to collaborate; affordable; and can be fitted out
to embody the OWOW principles of collaboration and innovation.
21. We have been working with the Government Property Unit (GPU) to identity a
suitable office space on the Government Estate in central London. There is
good progress on this but it is pressing to have confirmation from GPU of an
acceptable final location so that the business and staff can plan accordingly.
22. Following written instruction from the GPU, and in agreement with the Chair,
we have now served notice to the landlord that we will be exercising the
February 2018 break clause in our contract for Aviation House. The terms of
the contract state that the FSA must give ‘vacant possession’ of the building
upon our exit in February 2018. In order to meet this criteria significant works
would be needed to return the building to the state it was in when we took
over the lease. Alongside preparing for the building works, we have also
approached the landlord to see if they may be interested in reaching a
settlement in lieu of vacant possession.
People Offer
23. Discussions with the Trade Unions regarding the people offers were
commenced in December, and have been productive. The finalised 3 people
offers (homeworker, multi-location, office / plant based) will be rolled out to
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staff in late March 2017. The communication of the people offers will be
accompanied by comprehensive guidance for staff and managers regarding
how to make the shift to the new ways of working.
24. I was pleased to be invited to attend the recent cross government awards for
modern ways of working and innovation, and delighted that the FSA was
recognised at those awards in both the “leadership” and “culture and people”
categories.
25. This reflects the progress we have made over the last 6 years, in reducing our
accommodation costs per staff member from £12,133 to £8,527 while
materially improving our colleague engagement levels and productivity.
FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME (FHRS)
26. A key element of the FSA Strategy over the last several years has been
collaboration and the FHRS has been a pre-eminent example of what this
means in practice (though our work on allergy also springs to mind!).
Businesses providing ready to eat food to consumers are given a food
hygiene rating and a sticker which demonstrates their level of compliance with
food hygiene standards with a score from 0 to 5. Every local authority and
district council in England, Wales and Northern Ireland makes a vital
contribution to this scheme, and I would like to thank them and the
environmental health profession for their energetic support.
27. While it is a challenge to prove cause and effect, research now demonstrates
that a higher FHRS score is associated with a lower level of harmful bacteria
in food establishments, and a lower likelihood of a foodborne disease
outbreak. It is therefore very pleasing that compliance rates and ratings are
continuing to improve as a result of efforts by businesses and environmental
health officers, spurred on by the transparency of the scheme that the FSA
put in place.
28. This is another example of a campaign that the FSA has undertaken that has
involved using transparency and consumer communications and pressure to
drive business change, and in doing so has delivered public health benefits.
29. Progress on delivering improvements in compliance and consequent public
health benefits has been particularly strong in Wales and Northern Ireland,
where we have worked with Government to achieve mandatory display. I
would like to thank FSA colleagues there as well as our partners in local and
central government in those countries for their vision and hard work in
delivering this.
30. In Northern Ireland over 90% of food businesses within the scope of the
statutory Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) have received their statutory
rating and should now be displaying. The remaining businesses will receive
their statutory ratings by 6 October 2017.
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31. FSA Northern Ireland has also drafted, and are about to consult on, The
Food Hygiene Rating (Online Display) Regulations, which will require those
businesses that provide food by means of an online ordering facility to display
a valid rating on such a platform. Independent research has been
commissioned to determine what an online rating will look like and to produce
working models referred to as ‘digital assets’ that businesses will be able to
access and use to comply with these regulations. This is exciting work that
consumers in other countries will also be able to benefit from if we are
successful in the collaborations we are undertaking with some of the big online food delivery businesses to agree how they can most effectively display
these on-line ratings across the UK.
32. In Wales, FSA and Welsh Government officials continue to work
collaboratively and have been reviewing the statutory guidance on the Food
Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act and associated regulations. The revised
guidance will reflect changes since the legislation came into force, and include
advice on the Food Hygiene Rating (Promotion of Hygiene Rating) (Wales)
Regulations 2016.
33. FSA Wales has also recently produced the third annual report on the review of
the operation of the appeals system of the statutory Scheme in Wales. The
report 1 was laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 28 February and
is available on their website.
34. The FSA continues to develop proposals for the delivery of a FHRS statutory
scheme in England, aligning this work with the Regulating our Future
programme.
35. Work also continues on the non-legislative alignment of the voluntary scheme
in England with the statutory schemes in Wales/Northern Ireland. The cost
recovery trial for requested FHRS re-visits has been completed and FSA is
introducing a policy change on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in
England, to allow local authorities to use their existing powers under the
Localism Act (2011) to charge for FHRS re-inspections, should they wish to
do so. Any charges introduced will be on a cost recovery basis. This brings
England into line with Wales and Northern Ireland where their Food Hygiene
Rating legislation gives local authorities the powers to charge for reinspections. The FHRS Brand Standard will be amended to reflect the
change.
SCIENCE UPDATE
Establishment of the FSA’s new Science Council
36 We announced the establishment of the FSA’s new Science Council last
week, following completion of interviews in early February. We were pleased
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http://www.assembly.wales/laid%20documents/agr-ld10952/agr-ld10952-e.pdf
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to attract a strong field of candidates and to be able to appoint a Chair and
seven members who bring an impressive depth and range of expertise
individually, in combination, and through their wider networks.
37. The Council will be formally established on 1 April 2017, superseding the
General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS), which will be formally
dissolved as of 31 March 2017. We are discussing the early priorities for the
Council with its new Chair and expect the Council to hold its first meeting in
the next few months.
38. This completes implementation of the key recommendation from the Triennial
Review of the FSA’s Scientific Advisory Committees.
39. I would like to put on record my appreciation for the work of the current and
past GACS members.
Workshop with Chairs of FSA Scientific Advisory Committees
40. On 22 February, Guy Poppy and Steve Wearne (FSA Director of Policy) held
a workshop with the Chairs of the Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs)
which advise the FSA. This was the first in what we plan to be a programme
of biannual meetings to maintain and develop co-ordination between SACs
and their engagement with FSA. Issues discussed at the first workshop
included: progress on the Triennial Review and implications of EU Exit for
expert advice; and horizon scanning and emerging issues.
Lords Science and Technology Select Committee
41. On 10 January Guy Poppy gave evidence as FSA CSA to the House of Lords
Science and Technology Select Committee, in relation to its work on EU Exit
and UK Science. This session focused on perspectives for science in relation
to regulation and standards, and Guy gave evidence alongside Professor Sir
Michael Rawlins (Chairman, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency) and Dr Beth Thompson (Senior Policy Adviser, Wellcome Trust). 2
Revised Analysis of FSA Spend on Science and Evidence
42. Following the Board’s discussion on FSA science at its November 2016
meeting 3, we have done the further analysis of science spend in Northern
Ireland and Wales requested by the Board. We have also done some further
work to unpack what we mean by the new category of ‘core’ science,
introduced for the November paper, and how the trajectory for future work
might play out.
2
Transcript at:
http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-andtechnology-committee-lords/brexit-regulations-and-standards/oral/45307.html
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43. This has thrown up some anomalies in the way we identified and classified
spend as ‘science’ to generate the figures in the November paper. We have
reviewed the figures and the approach, with Guy Poppy, to ensure they are
accurate and appropriate to support future discussions about the level,
balance and trajectory of our science work. This has led to a number of
changes to what is included in our overall science spend and to how projects
are classified between the three types of science spend. The revised figures
are set out in Annex A.
44. The main reasons for the changes are as follows:
i.
The change in the reported total spend is mainly a result of excluding a
single but significant line of spend which had been included in the
November figures in error. This is offset to some extent by including
another line of spend which we felt should be included. Both of these
relate to the ‘core’ category.
ii.
The changes in proportions between the categories result mainly from
our review and check on the consistency with which we have
interpreted and applied the new definitions of the three categories.
These have refined how we decide what is included in core work, and
to a lesser extent how we draw the line between core and investment.
45. This review has allowed us to clarify that ‘core’ includes three broad types of
activity:
i) discretionary spend on underpinning science work - in other words,
evidence we need in order to address any food safety issue, whatever our
specific priorities (e.g. key data on food consumption from the National
Dietary and Nutrition Survey)
ii) support for National and EU Reference Laboratories
iii) structured evidence-gathering through regulatory and enforcement activity:
statutory monitoring, surveillance and similar activity.
46. There is of course a wider body of regulatory and enforcement activity which
generates evidence, whether through testing, feedback or other means. We
have only included these as science (in the ‘core’ category) where they are
primarily about sampling or testing, and provide data that are reported back
and inform a wider picture (rather than, for example, informing discrete local
enforcement activity).
47. We believe this revised classification gives a more rational and consistent
basis which will support future discussions about the level, balance and
trajectory of our science work. It also provides a clearer rationale for why we
fund different types of activity within the ‘science’ spend and a better basis for
assessing their impact.
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48. We do not believe these changes affect the main arguments in the November
Board paper (or the Board’s discussion), including the proposed trajectory,
aiming to shift spend from ‘core’ to ‘investment’ and to give more of the ‘core’
spend an ‘investment’ flavour, through better targeting and delivery of outputs
that are more useful for FSA.
49. This amended approach resets our baseline by removing a number of areas
of spend which we had previously included in a more ‘catch-all’ classification
of statutory work, but which do not meet the tighter criteria for structured
evidence-gathering outlined above. It is important to stress that no work on
science or evidence-gathering has been stopped – the change in the headline
figures arises simply from the different approach to classifying spend.
50. This change in baseline should not significantly affect the expected trajectory
of spend which is downward, consistent with the trajectory of FSA’s overall
spend and with the Board’s previous commitment that science spend should
not be disproportionately affected by the need to realise efficiencies and
savings across all of the FSA’s expenditure.
Antimicrobial resistance surveillance
51. The Board discussion in September 2016 concluded that FSA should
undertake surveillance work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and at its
meeting in November 2016 the Board was updated on the progress of this
work. Based on the data gaps identified by the AMR systematic review, which
was published in November 2016 to assess the contribution of the food chain
to AMR, the FSA is now embarking on the first strategic surveillance study of
AMR pathogens and commensal bacteria in retail poultry and pork meat.
52. The main aims of the surveillance study are to help inform risk assessment of
AMR in the food chain and to monitor trends. In the longer term it will help us
track progress with interventions aimed at tackling AMR and will contribute to
the wider international effort to reduce AMR. The study will be UK-wide and
will include foods from non-UK producers.
53. We anticipate the sampling of products to start in summer 2017 with the
survey report to be submitted late 2017. We aim to publish the final report in
early 2018.
Risk Assessment on MRSA
54. The FSA’s Microbiological Risk Assessment Branch has produced a ‘Risk
Assessment on Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with a
focus on Livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) in the UK Food Chain’.
This was published in February 2017.
55. The assessment concludes that the risk to human health from the preparation,
handling and/or consumption of foodstuffs in the UK which are potentially
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contaminated with LA-MRSA and/or other MRSA variants is considered to be
very low, especially when compared to other routes of transmission (such as
through direct contact with individuals colonised and/or infected with MRSA in
hospitals or the community). The ACMSF working group on antimicrobial
resistance was consulted on the risk assessment throughout its development.
56. FSA advice remains unchanged i.e. that raw food should be stored
appropriately, handled hygienically and cooked thoroughly. In combinations,
these measures should be sufficient to ensure that exposure to any harmful
bacteria (including LA-MRSA) present is avoided.
RARE BURGERS
57. Following discussion at the September 2015 Board meeting on the risks
associated to the production of burgers to be consumed less than thoroughly
cooked (LTTC), the Board requested that consideration be given to the
introduction of specific approval for those establishments in the food chain
which supply minced meat (MM) / meat preparations (MP) that are intended to
be eaten LTTC.
58. A 12-week consultation exercise on a proposal to introduce specific approval
was launched on 5 July 2016. A total of 15 responses were received to the
consultation and overall there was agreement that the proposal to move to
specific approval should be implemented. Specific approval of this activity is
seen to be an important step in delivering a high level of public protection.
59. On 23 February 2017, the FSA issued letters to all food business operators
approved for MM/MP in England, Wales and Northern Ireland notifying them
of the introduction of this specific approval. Notification was also sent to all
local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to interested parties
within the meat industry and to those who provided specific responses to the
consultation exercise. The requirement for specific approval for this activity
entered into force on 28 February 2017.
60. The move to specific approval has allowed the FSA to publish a list of those
establishments already approved to supply MM/MP intended to be eaten
LTTC. The continued upkeep and publication of a definitive list of
establishments approved for this activity will assist catering establishments to
identify those suppliers specifically approved for the production of burgers
intended to be LTTC.
ANIMAL WELFARE
61. I am pleased to report that excellent progress has been made on the animal
welfare actions we committed to in our Board paper of September 2016. We
have mobilised a Welfare Assurance Team to drive improved compliance,
strengthened animal welfare measures in the new performance management
framework for the new veterinary services contract, worked with industry to
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develop a joint protocol on use of CCTV footage and put in place dedicated
management and governance arrangements to ensure the timely and
effective delivery of all commitments in our animal welfare programme. We
will bring a comprehensive update paper to the Board in June 2017.
OFFICIAL MEAT CONTROLS CONTRACT
62. Since the last Board meeting, we have announced the outcome of the official
meat control tender exercise and our intention to award a two year contract
(with an option for another year) to Eville and Jones (UK) Ltd., which will start
on the 27 March 2017 when the current contract expires. Meanwhile, the
team have been working with existing suppliers, Eville and Jones and
Hallmark, to ensure a smooth and safe transition to the new arrangements.
FOOD CRIME
63. In recognition of the global nature of the food crime threat, the National Food
Crime Unit (NFCU) has worked to build meaningful relationships with EU and
third country partners. The Unit is now firmly established as one of the key
global thought leaders in relation to this crime problem.
64. In February, the Head of Food Crime was invited to meet with a collective of
Nordic food authorities to offer insight and advice on building their own food
crime capabilities. At the request of the Danish Minister of Environment and
Food, he will also address an International Food Summit in Copenhagen later
this year. Beyond Europe, the NFCU has been asked to share insight on food
crime with US, Canadian and South Korean partners in coming months.
65. In February, I met my counterpart from the New Zealand Ministry of Primary
Industries, Martyn Dunne. New Zealand is a key and likeminded ally of ours
who we work with closely on a range of food safety issues. I was therefore
pleased to be able to sign off a food crime intelligence sharing protocol.
66. The 2017 Food Crime Strategic Assessment (FCSA) is in the final stages of
sign-off with its joint authors in Food Standards Scotland. It is scheduled for
distribution amongst law enforcement and other public sector partners in April.
INCIDENTS
Campylobacter in Raw Cows’ Drinking Milk
67. Since the last Board meeting we have received notification of Campylobacter
in raw cows’ drinking milk at three separate production facilities. Product from
one of the premises, Manor Farm in Cheshire, has also tested positive for
Listeria monocytogenes. Product from Sizergh Barn in Cumbria has been
linked to 16 confirmed and 53 probable cases of illness. There are no known
cases from Manor Farm or Chance Hall Farm (also in Cheshire).
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68. Enforcement action by Dairy Hygiene Inspection and in co-operation with the
relevant local authorities, at each facility has included environmental sampling
and the identification of required hygiene improvements, and sales have
ceased until milk samples are satisfactory.
Co–op recalls festive milk chocolate products due to possible product tampering
69. The FSA was notified on 23 December by Co-op of 2 consumer complaints of
a small battery inside Co-op Hollow Milk Chocolate Santa. The product was
manufactured in Germany and distributed to all Co-op stores UK-wide
including Channel Island and Isle of Man. Subsequent notification of a
consumer complaint of a battery inside Co-op Hollow Milk Chocolate Bunny
was also received by the FSA on 31 January 2017.
70. As a potential malicious tampering issue, the National Crime Agency with
support from the police and FSA are leading the ongoing investigation. The
FSA issued Product Recall Information Notices in both instances and Co-op
also issued notices to the media.
RESILIENCE
71. A joint FSA, Department of Health, Public Health England (PHE) and National
Health Service (NHS) England exercise took place on 6 December 2016. It
explored the coordinated strategic response required during a national
outbreak of foodborne disease, as well as promoting multi-agency
cooperation and information sharing between organisations. Lessons learnt
revolve around the need for more formalised and better aligned working
arrangements, and action on this is now being taken forward.
72. A ‘Use of social media in a crisis’ exercise was held in February 2017. Social
media has substantially reduced the window of time we have to shape the
narrative when an incident unfolds. Previous experience has taught us that
when an incident takes hold, it is important that we become visible as quickly
as possible, and coordinate our social media presence so that we can engage
with and reassure consumers and other stakeholders. The exercise rehearsed
a live, interactive scenario that mimicked the typical spread of information on
social media during a crisis and used digital channels to coordinate the FSA
response.
SENTENCING FOR FOOD HYGIENE AND FOOD SAFETY OFFENCES
A number of successful prosecutions have been undertaken.
73. A conviction was secured by the FSA against the operator of an approved
meat cutting plant for two breaches of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England)
Regulations 2013. Justin Clark, who operates the cutting plant trading as
Clark & Son in Suffolk, was fined £1,600 at Ipswich Magistrates Court on 15
November 2016 after pleading guilty to offences in relation to processing wild
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deer carcases “in fur”, when the premises were not approved to operate as a
game handling establishment.
74. A successful prosecution was secured by the Crown Prosecution Service
against an approved poultry meat slaughterhouse following an investigation
by the FSA. 1Stop Halal Limited pleaded guilty to one charge under the
Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Ipswich Magistrates Court on 5 December 2016.
The charge related to a number of incidents where chickens were presented
for post-mortem inspection that had not had their carotid arteries cut, including
a number that were not subject to stunning. The company was fined £8,000
and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £6,144.26.
75. Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council prosecuted a local takeaway business for
supplying food containing peanut. The FBO was prosecuted both as a director
and as an individual. He twice supplied a meal containing peanut when it was
asked for ‘without peanuts’. Upon inspection, Environmental Health Officers
found poor hygiene practices and signs of mouse infestation. The FBO
entered guilty pleas to charges related to hygiene, traceability and food safety
and received fines of £32,000 and costs of £3,500.
76. Carlisle City Council brought a prosecution against a large food supplier which
has resulted in fines and costs of over £275,000. Pioneer Foods admitted 11
offences after significant levels of listeria was found in cooked meats. The
Court heard that the business supplied meats to schools and hospitals and
although no one became ill as a result of the contaminated meat a full product
recall was undertaken as a precautionary measure.
77. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council prosecuted the operators of a London
based cash and carry for supplying peanut powder labelled as almond to a
local restaurant. Owner Soms Uddin Shahin and Sima Enterprise were
ordered to pay over £6,000 of fines and costs. Inspectors purchased a
“peanut free” meal as part of the FSA funded national sampling programme
and on analysis it contained peanut protein.
78. Newcastle City Council – Belal Aljibouri was convicted of 5 food hygiene and
safety offences at the Magistrates’ Court but a history of previous similar
convictions at his Sicily Italian takeaway saw the case escalated to the Crown
Court for sentence. The premises were described as “appalling, and in a state
that was difficult to imagine being dirtier”. He was banned from running a food
business indefinitely and also handed a four month prison sentence which
was suspended for two years.
13
Final Version 10 March 2017
Food Standards Agency
Board Meeting – 15 March 2017
FSA 17/03/03
ANNEX A
FSA SPEND ON SCIENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND WALES
FSA spend in 2015/16 (£M)
Total
Core
Investment
Strategic
Nov 2016 Board
paper
20.7
12.4
7.1
1.2
Revised figure
16.6
9.0
6.7
1.0
1.7
1.5
0.236
0
0.081
0
0.081
0
Of which NI
Wales
Notes:
1. Spend in NI and Wales includes the NI and Wales components of UK-wide
activities (such as NI sample boosts to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, and
relevant statutory monitoring in those countries) and projects that address priorities
specific to those countries.
2. Projects funded from the Westminster budget also contribute to delivery of work in
NI and Wales, as they do for FSA as a whole. This includes the Strategic Evidence
Fund, and some statutory monitoring which covers England and Wales.
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Final Version 10 March 2017