Food fraud database

The database is an important resource for local authorities which may be seeking additional information to assist with their investigations into food fraud incidents.

Intelligence is received from a variety of sources, including consumers, industry, Government Departments and other enforcement bodies, but particularly from local authorities. It is important that local authorities share with the Agency, all intelligence they become aware of in relation to known or even suspected food fraud incidents, including historical cases. This intelligence will then be used to populate the database along with data from all other sources.

Management of the database and the storage and handling of intelligence received by the Agency is operated in line with the National Intelligence Model, which is an information-based business model used by police and other enforcement agencies in England and Wales.

Local authorities are asked to submit intelligence on a ‘5x5x5’ Information/Intelligence Report form. This is a standard format used by enforcement agencies for managing the evaluation, the source and the origin of information, and the way in which it should be handled and disseminated.

A copy of the form, and guidance to completing it, can be found at the links below.

If you are seeking a public interest immunity to protect the source of the intelligence you will need to complete a provenance form. A copy of this form can be found at the link below.

If you are a local authority and you want to email the completed form to the Agency you will first need to download the form to your computer by following this procedure:

1. place your cursor over the link below
2. click the right hand button of your mouse (PC only)
3. select 'save target as' from the drop-down menu
4. choose a location on your computer to save the file
5. click the 'save' button

You will now be able to open the document on your own computer.

Completed forms should be emailed to:

email: foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can print out the form below, complete it and send it to:

John Furzer
Imported Food and Food Fraud Coordination Branch
Enforcement Support Division
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH

tel: 020 7276 8077
fax: 020 7276 8024

Local authorities can make requests for intelligence that may be held on the system and that may be relevant to their ongoing investigations into food fraud. All enquires should be made to John Furzer on 0207 276 8077 or by email to: foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.