Food law and enforcement

In the UK, day-to-day responsibility for enforcing food controls is divided between central and local government.

The central food law enforcement authorities in the UK are:

• the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Food Standards Scotland in Scotland
• the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its agencies
• devolved agriculture and rural affairs departments, including Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland

Most food law is enforced by local councils throughout the UK. The FSA supervises local council enforcement and works with local enforcement officers to make sure food law is applied throughout the food chain.

Food law enforcement in Northern Ireland

Local authorities enforce food law for food businesses like cafes, restaurants, food manufacturers and food shops. They are also responsible for enforcement in other food businesses that produce products of animal origin, such as fisheries businesses.

DAERA Agri-food Inspection Branch enforces:

• food law for primary producers - (ie farmers and growers)
• rules for milk and milk products for dairy producers
• compliance with hygiene regulations at egg production and egg packing establishments

The Veterinary Public Health Unit of DAERA enforces meat inspection for meat establishments.