FSA updates food law codes to strengthen local council flexibility, modernise UK food safety enforcement 

UK – The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has introduced revised Food Law Codes of Practice and updated Practice Guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, representing a significant step toward modernising food safety enforcement and regulatory practices across the UK. 

Published in late October, the changes aim to enable local authorities to prioritise public health risk more effectively by granting greater flexibility in how resources are allocated.  

The update follows a two-year development period and a 12-week consultation with local councils, port health authorities, district authorities and industry stakeholders. 

Rachel Cooper, Director of Strategy and Regulatory Compliance at the FSA, stated that the revision strengthens consistency in food law enforcement and supports capability building within the regulatory workforce.  

“This update helps ensure that local councils have a more flexible, risk-based approach to carry out their vital work in a way that’s both effective and sustainable,” she noted. 

Among the key reforms is a new framework that allows councils to take a more flexible, risk-based approach when assessing newly registered food businesses. Local authorities can now triage businesses at the point of registration, ensuring checks are prioritised based on potential public health impact. 

The Codes also permit increased use of alternative assessment methods, including remote inspections, to help direct regulatory resources where they are most needed.  

In addition, the revisions expand the range of professionals authorised to conduct official control tasks in England and Wales, ensuring specialist knowledge is utilised effectively. 

Wales has additionally adopted the Food Standards Delivery Model, which was previously implemented in England and Northern Ireland in 2023, updating how food standards regulation is applied to businesses operating within the sector. 

The FSA emphasised that the changes align with broader regulatory modernisation efforts, reflecting evolving food business models, consumer behaviour shifts and ongoing pressures within the food industry. 

To further support enforcement efforts, the agency has also released a revised competency standard intended to help councils ensure that officers conducting food safety checks possess appropriate qualifications and training.  

The competency framework will align with the Codes of Practice and guide professional development and performance evaluation for enforcement officers. 

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