Food Safety On The Agenda

Tuesday 27 November 2001

Consumers invited to FSA's Advisory Committee for Wales open meeting in Cardiff

The Food Standards Agency's Advisory Committee for Wales will be holding an open meeting in Cardiff next week. Anyone with an interest in food is welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held at the St David's Hall from 10am next Wednesday, 5 December.

The Advisory Committee for Wales provides advice or information to the Food Standards Agency in Wales on a wide range of issues relevant to its functions. Its chairman, Ann Hemingway, is also a member of the Board of the UK-wide Food Standards Agency.

In line with the Agency's commitment to openness and transparency in its operations, all discussions during the meeting will be held in public. There will also be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions about the day's debate or any other food-related topic.

Among the items for discussion at the meeting are implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), a system of procedures that food businesses must apply to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat. The question and answer session will be held at the end of the meeting, which will run until 1pm.

The Advisory Committee for Wales comprises:-

Mrs Ann Hemingway - Chairman;

Dr Robert Bell, managing director of the Environmental Advice Centre Ltd, a multidisciplinary environmental consultancy based in North Wales;

Dr David Casemore, formerly Head of the National Cryptosporidium Reference Unit of the Public Health Laboratory Service;

Mrs Gilli Davies, Cordon Bleu cook, food journalist and broadcaster;

Professor Margaret Griffiths, Head of the Law School at the University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd;

Professor James Parry, a Professor of Genetics based at the University of Wales, Swansea;

Mrs Dilwen Phillips, an officer on the Board of Trustees of the National Federation of Women's Institutes;

Professor Robert Pickard, Director-General of the British Nutrition Foundation; and

Mr David Smith, a chef, lecturer and advisor to the Welsh Food Alliance.

Press and media contacts requiring further information before the event should contact Kathryn Corcoran, Communications Officer on 029 2067 8915.

News contact: Kathryn Corcoran (029) 2067 8915

Notes To Editors

The Food Standards Agency was set up in April last year and its Welsh Executive is accountable both to Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

The FSA will protect the interest of consumers by protecting three core values. It will:
- Put the consumer first;
- Be open and accessible;
- Be an independent voice.

Its functions are to:
- Provide advice to the public and the Government on food safety, nutrition and diet;
- Protect consumers through effective enforcement and monitoring;
- Support consumer choice through accurate and meaningful labelling