News reported by the The Grocer that the Food Standards Agency is planning to allow major food firms, including Tesco, to self-regulate on food safety has been branded “scandalous” by a leading food policy expert.
The Grocer revealed news that the FSA plans replace its “outdated” food safety regime and replace it with one that gives a much bigger role for major food retailers and suppliers – 20-30 so-called ‘super food business’. The idea is that this would free it up to focus on smaller “rogue” operators. The magazine says the FSA will run a trial, involving Tesco and a top pub operator, to test industry self-auditing of supply chain safety.
Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University, told The Grocer: “This is scandalous …It’s a sign of a weak FSA. The fact it is turning to Tesco, of all companies, in its time of trouble … is very bad news for public health.”
