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THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY FUTURE REMAINS UNDER REVIEW, DESPITE REPORTS THAT IT HAD BEEN AXED. It had been widely reported that health secretary Andrew Lansley would confirm the scrapping of
the agency in an announcement on Monday (12 July). However, while Mr Lansley did address the House of Commons about the future of the NHS he made no mention of the FSA. Although it is a
government body, the agency works at “arm’s length” from government because it does not report to a specific minister. A Department of Health spokeswoman said no decision on the agency had
been taken. “All arm’s length [bodies] remain under review. There is no timescale set for the decision.” The Food Standards Agency was set up in 2000 to protect the public’s health and
consumer interests in relation to food. Responsible for improving food safety through the food chain, it has 2000 staff and an annual budget of £135m. This includes improving farm hygiene
ensuring human health is not put at risk through what is fed to animals. From 1 January 2006, food hygiene legislation has applied to farmers, growers and other producers as part of a “farm
to fork” approach to food safety.