Origins of the Food Standards Agency

Wednesday 24 April 2002

The background and key steps to the formation of the Food Standards Agency

Under the Food Standards Act, the Food Standards Agency is charged with protecting consumer interests in relation to food safety and standards. Most importantly, the Agency is entitled to make public the advice that it gives to Government ministers. This means that the Agency can be seen to act openly and independently in looking after the interests of consumers.

The key steps to the formation of the Agency are summarised below:

March 1997
Professor Philip James of the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen was commissioned by the Rowntree Trust to make recommendations on the structure and functions of a Food Standards Agency.

May 1997
His report, "The Food Standards Agency An Interim Proposal"- was formally presented to the Prime Minister shortly after the Government came to power and immediately published for public consultation.

May - June 1997
Over 600 responses were received during the consultation period including representatives from the consumer sector, public health medicine, local government, veterinary services, scientific research, all sectors of the food production and distribution industries and a significant number of private individuals.

January 1998
A Government White Paper, "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change" was launched in the House of Commons, reflecting the consultation and Professor James' report. It was developed jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (now DEFRA), Department of Health, Cabinet Office, Scottish Office, Welsh Office, and Northern Ireland Office in consultation with other Whitehall departments.

January - March 1998
The paper was put out to further public consultation.

January 1999
A draft Bill was presented for consultation in the Command Paper "The Food Standards Agency: Consultation on Draft Legislation".

March 1999
House of Commons Select Committee - the Food Standards Committee published its report on the draft bill.

June 1999
The Food Standards Bill in its definitive form was introduced into the House of Commons.

November 1999
The Bill received Royal Assent and became the Food Standards Act.

3 April 2000
The Food Standards Agency became operational in accordance with the Act.