News Centre
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Our press release section contains all UK-wide media releases.
Most recent news stories
Lime Tree Pantry withdraws Lamb in Mint Gravy Pie
Friday 16 May 2008
Lime Tree Pantry has withdrawn its own-brand Lamb in Mint gravy Pie because the product contains soya, which is not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone allergic to soya. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Learning from projects worth their salt
Thursday 15 May 2008
The Agency is holding a public meeting next month to disseminate the lessons learned from eight salt-reduction projects run over the past year by organisations working as partners in phase three of its salt campaign.
Agency seeks concept to help young people
Thursday 15 May 2008
The Agency's Nutrition Policy and Advice branch is seeking a contractor to design, develop and produce a simple concept to help young people engage with the food competences and what the competences mean for young people.
Marks & Spencer withdraws mustard
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Marks & Spencer has withdrawn its Wholegrain Mustard (205g) because some of a Dijon mustard product, which contains sulphites, has been packed as wholegrain mustard. This means sulphites are not mentioned on the Wholegrain Mustard product label, making the product a possible health risk for anyone who is sensitive to sulphites.
FSA Wales launches Recipe for Life
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Packed with eight nutritious, easy to make recipes and lots of top tips, Recipe for Life is FSA Wales' new recipe publication to help people over 50 achieve a healthy balanced diet.
Local authority audit published
Tuesday 13 May 2008
The Agency's local authority audit report for Renfrewshire is now available online.
Local authority audit published
Monday 12 May 2008
The Agency's local authority audit report for Inverclyde is now available online.
Report issued on nicarbazin residues in chicken
Monday 12 May 2008
A report has been published today by the Agency into the possible causes of nicarbazin residues in chicken. Nicarbazin is a medicated feed additive used to treat a debilitating poultry disease called coccidiosis.
Nestle recalls some Nutrition Build-up Original
Friday 9 May 2008
Nestle has recalled, as a precautionary measure, one batch of its own-brand Nutrition Build-up Original (400g) because it may contain small pieces of thin plastic. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Waitrose recalls organic eggs
Friday 9 May 2008
Waitrose has recalled organic eggs from one farm because they may be contaminated with lead. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Sunflower oil from Ukraine
Friday 9 May 2008
The Food Standards Agency has today written to organisations representing suppliers and importers of cooking oils, to alert them to the presence in the UK of sunflower oil containing significant levels of mineral oil. The sunflower oil originated in Ukraine.
Review of new baby milk controls
Thursday 8 May 2008
The FSA and Department of Health have appointed an independently chaired panel with expertise in infant nutrition, sociology, health inequalities and advertising to review new controls on the advertising and presentation of infant and follow-on formula.
MHS transformation exceeds expectations
Wednesday 7 May 2008
The progress made by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to transform into a leaner and more efficient organisation was applauded by the Board of the Food Standards Agency at its meeting today.
FSA News supplement on the Meat Hygiene Service
Wednesday 7 May 2008
Find out more about the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and how it’s fulfilling its responsibilities better than ever. A special supplement on the MHS and its transformation is available in the latest issue of FSA News.
Paxton & Whitfield withdraws chicken liver pâté
Wednesday 7 May 2008
Paxton & Whitfield has withdrawn its Chicken Liver Pâté(270g) because the product contains sulphites, which are not mentioned on the label. This makes the product a possible health risk for people who are sensitive to sulphites. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Practical advice for safer food in care homes
Tuesday 6 May 2008
The Agency has launched a Safer food, better business (SFBB) supplement designed to help small caterers and staff working in care homes across the UK prepare and cook safer food for their residents.
Britvic recalls a batch of Robinsons Strawberry Fruit Shoot
Saturday 3 May 2008
Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd has recalled a batch of Robinsons Fruit Shoot Strawberry No Added Sugar 200ml as a precautionary measure, due to possible nut contamination.
Mussels from Bantry Bay Seafoods warning
Friday 2 May 2008
The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to eat certain batches of frozen mussels produced by Irish company Bantry Bay Seafoods because they may contain AZP (Azaspiracid Shellfish Poisoning toxins), which are known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps.
Asda recalls flapjacks
Friday 2 May 2008
Asda has recalled some own-brand Flapjack Mini Bites because they might contain glass fragments. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Primula Cheese Spread recalled
Friday 2 May 2008
Kavli Ltd has recalled its own brand Primula Cheese Spread with Ham 150g (tube), due to possible presence of small pieces of plastic in the product within the ham ingredient. Mixed selection packs (sold through Cash & Carry) containing this product have also been recalled.The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Sainsbury's recalls chocolate and toffee crisp bites
Friday 2 May 2008
Sainsbury’s has recalled some if its own-brand Chocolate and Toffee Crisp Bites because they might be contaminated with glass. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Arsenic in rice
Wednesday 30 April 2008
The Agency today issued reassurance to consumers, following reports on arsenic levels in baby rice and in rice milk.
New members needed for Northern Ireland Committee
Wednesday 30 April 2008
The Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC), an independent advisory body to the Food Standards Agency, is looking for two new members.
Food Safety Week 9-13 June 2008
Monday 28 April 2008
Food Safety Week will be taking place this summer between 9-13 June, with a range of events being run across the UK in schools, community groups and local councils, to highlight the importance of food safety and hygiene in the home. Why don't you find out what events are being organised in your local area?
New proposals on novel foods
Monday 28 April 2008
The European Commission is proposing to update the approvals process for novel foods, and clarify the definition of novel foods, including the latest developments in the area such as cloning and nanotechnology. The Agency has issued a consultation on the proposals.
Provision of services related to exercise support for food incidents
Monday 28 April 2008
The Agency is seeking a contractor to take the lead in devising scenarios and driving the delivery for a series of food-incident related exercises, in liaison with members of the Agency's Emergency Planning Branch and the Emergency Exercise Stakeholder Working Group (EESWG).
New rules on specified risk material
Friday 25 April 2008
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has welcomed new legislation that comes into force tomorrow, Saturday 26 April. The legislation raises the age at which bovine vertebral column (VC) is classified as Specified Risk Material (SRM) from 24 to 30 months.
Colours and hyperactivity advice
Friday 25 April 2008
The FSA Board discussed, at its meeting earlier this month, the University of Southampton research into the effect of certain artificial colours on hyperactivity in some children. During the meeting the Board requested that the Agency look again at the way its advice to parents is presented, to ensure it is as clear and useful as possible.
COT recruitment of specialist members
Friday 25 April 2008
The Chair of the Food Standards Agency and the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health invite applications for specialist Members of the Committee on Toxicity which will become vacant from 1 September 2008.
East End Foods recalls dill seeds
Friday 25 April 2008
East End Foods has recalled its own-brand dill seeds because of the presence of salmonella in one batch. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Natco recalls batch of fennel seeds
Thursday 24 April 2008
Natco Foods Ltd has recalled a certain batch code of its Fennel Seeds product, due to the presence of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.
Possible feed contamination incident
Thursday 24 April 2008
The Food Standards Agency wrote to stakeholders on Tuesday 22 April to inform them of possible contamination of animal feed imported into the UK from Sweden. The text of the note can be found below.
Tesco and Waitrose recall houmous products
Wednesday 23 April 2008
Waitrose and Tesco have recalled some of their own brand houmous products due to the presence of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The Agency has issued two Food Alerts for Information.
Use of food assurance scheme guidance reviewed
Wednesday 23 April 2008
Most of the UK's main food assurance schemes are following FSA guidance aimed at ensuring better information for consumers about food standards, according to a report published today by the Agency.
Monthly report of specified risk material and other BSE control breaches for March 2008
Wednesday 23 April 2008
The following report from the Food Standards Agency provides a monthly update on specified risk material (SRM) finds and related issues. These reports are posted on the Agency’s website normally during the second week of each month.