Food Standards Agency Flashcards
(23 cards)
Who are the FSA
An independent government department
What are the FSA doing
Only are working to protect public health
What is the FsA’s mission
Food you can trust
Food is safe
Food is what it says it is
Food is healthier and more sustainable
what is the “FSA implement foods you can trust strategy 2022-2027”
Ensures food is safe and is what it says it is
Trying to make food healthier and more sustainable
Trying to make sure consumers have the information needed to make informed decisions
FSA foodborne disease strategy 2010-2015 aims
Reduce contamination of food during production and processing
Promoting good food hygiene both commercially and in the home
FSA Foodborne Disease Strategy 2010-2015
Three key outcomes
Food both produced in the UK and imported is safe to eat
Ensure customers understand safe food
Regulation is effective, risk bases and protects consumers
What do the FSA do around Allergy and allergy alerts
Provide information and guidance for allergies, tolerances and coeliac disease
Work with local authorities and food industries to make consumers aware about missing/incorrect labelling
Send out alerts about food that has been recalled
What a dive do the FSA give to the food industry
Food safety advice on production of fish and shellfish
Advice on labelling for labelling, allergy and intolerance, food safety and food poisoning
Explain the FSA hygiene rating scheme
Helps reduce foodbourne illness by giving consumers information about hygiene standards in food premises
This allows consumers to make informed decisions as the rating reflects inspection findings
What is Acrylamide
A chemical substance formed when starchy foods are cooked above 120C
How does the FSA help consumers reduce acrylamide
Helps consumers understand how to reduce the risk by supporting initiatives to reduce acrylamide in foods
Helps manufacturers comply with the new legislation
Advise people on what to do to reduce acrylamide when cooking at home
How do the FSA control food additives
Assessed for safety and any discrepancies investigated
Additives must be displayed on food labels
What is Bisphenol-A
A chemical used to make plastics, tiny amounts can transfer from packaging to food but the tiny level is not harmful
Dangerous amounts can interfere with hormone levels
How does FSA help control food poisoning
FSA advises consumers on how to cook and store food to prevent food poisoning
The FSA invests in preventative programmes e.g the campylobacter reduction strategy
What is a genetically modified food
Any living thing that has had its DNA altered using genetic engineering
Usually done to introduce a desirable trait e.g larger fruit/drought resistance
What do the FSA do surrounding GM foods
Ensures legal criteria is met for foods to be marketed in the UK
Provide information about GM foods and how they assess the safety and labelling requirements of these products
What is irradiated food
Irradiation of a food is a practice which eliminates bacteria that may lead to food poisoning
What must be put on the label of an irradiated food
“Irradiated”
“Treated with ionising radiation”
If a food is not prepackaged then they must state this beside the container the food is in
What information does the FSA provide about food labels
How to read labels on pre packed foods to find ingredients and information of mycotoxins, nanotechnology, pesticides and radioactivity
What is the clean livestock guidance
Slaughterhouses have a Clean Livestock Policy as part of their HACCP plan, the FSA will provide guidance on this
This is to reduce food poisoning caused by dirt/faeces on animals
What is the milk production guidance
Milk from animals on antibiotics or in withdrawal cannot enter the food chain
What do the FSA do about pesticides in food
Pesticides are chemical or biological substances that are used to kill or control pests
The FSA have oversight over pesticides and food safety in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
