Food: Regulation

(asked on 9th February 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the research paper An approach to conflicts of interest in UK food regulatory institutions, published in Nature Food on 30 December 2022; and what plans they have, if any, to address any risk of any conflicts of interest for members of food policy advisory committees, including in the Food Standards Agency and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Answered by
Lord Markham Portrait
Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 21st February 2023

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) strives to be an open and transparent organisation. When people provide formal advice through their scientific committees and advisory bodies, there are clear processes in place so that their interests are declared and this information is publicly available.

FSA Board members also declare their interests. These are scrutinised as part of the appointment process and continually updated. This information is also available on the FSA’s website and where relevant to a formal Board or Committee discussion, it is documented at the public meeting.

Recruiting people to the FSA Board and Committees who have experience and insights from across the food system helps the FSA deliver its mission to keep food safe. The paper did not identify any evidence that bias arising from conflicts of interest has influenced the work of the FSA.

The FSA will keep its approach to managing potential conflicts of interest up to date, and in line with all relevant Government guidance. It will also continue to strive to ensure that decisions are made with consumer interests front and centre of our thinking and to be transparent in our decision-making.

For committees listed on the Public Appointments Order in Council 2016 where members are appointed by Ministers, such as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment which adheres to the principles and guidance set down in the Governance Code on Public Appointments. This includes reminding candidates of the need to declare any conflicts of interest at application and interview stage, and ensuring candidates are familiar with Nolan principles.

Reticulating Splines