Government Chemist

Lord Johnson of Marylebone Excerpts

Tuesday 9th June 2015 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Joseph Johnson)]

The 18th annual review of the Government Chemist has been received. The review will be placed in the Libraries of the House plus those of the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland. The review will also be laid before the Scottish Parliament.

The Government Chemist is the referee analyst named in Acts of Parliament. The Government Chemist’s team carry out analysis in high-profile cases, for example, the measurement of horsemeat in products suspected to have been mislabelled.

The Government Chemist’s work often has a critical health dimension as it used to decide whether food additives or contaminants are within permitted levels.

The Government Chemist employs a range of classical and modern techniques, including DNA analysis, as part of his activities in producing certificates of analysis. The Government Chemist also gives advice to Government Departments, Trading Standards Departments and Public Analysts.

[HCWS18]