The Food Standards Agency is an agency of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food throughout the United Kingdom.

It was brought into existence in 2000, based on a report by Professor James [1], which followed a number of high profile outbreaks and deaths from foodborne illness. It was felt that it was inappropriate to have one government department, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, responsible for both the health of the farming and food processing industries, and for food safety.

In February 2005 the agency announced the discovery of the dye Sudan I in Worcester sauce, prompting a mass recall of over 400 products that used the sauce as a flavouring.

See also

• novel food

External links

• Food Standards Agency