Northern Ireland

Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland was launched on 3 April 2000 as part of the new, UK-wide independent body, accountable both to Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

FSANI comprises the Director, and 40 staff, plus the Chair of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC), who is also a member of the FSA Board.

Our offices are based at Clarendon Dock, Belfast, and our roles and responsibilities include:

• advising Ministers on food safety and standards issues
• developing policy and proposing legislation
• auditing of food law enforcement activities undertaken by:
  • district councils
  • DARD Veterinary Service (meat hygiene)
  • DARD Quality Assurance Branch (milk and eggs)
• auditing of feed law enforcement activities undertaken by DARD Quality Assurance Branch
• giving the public advice on food safety as well as diet and nutrition issues