Fsa Will Stay

However, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley confirmed that it will hand over some responsibilities to the Government. The Department of Health will oversee the nutrition policy and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will handle food labelling – leaving the FSA to focus on food safety.

The body was established as a non-ministerial department in 2000, in the wake of the BSE crisis and a number of high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illness. Its primary purpose was to secure food safety and provide independent advice to Government and to the public. Most recently, the FSA campaigned for a Europe-wide introduction of the ‘traffic light’ system of nutritional labelling.

“Our ambition is to create a public health system that truly helps people live longer and healthier lives. To achieve it, we can’t stand still. Changes are inevitable,” said Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health. Around 100 of the organisation’s posts will be moved, leaving 2,000 remaining staff.

“It’s absolutely crucial for the Food Standards Agency to continue providing independent expert advice to people about food safety. But bringing nutrition policy into the Department makes sense. It will enable a clear, consistent public health service to be created, as our Public Health White Paper later this year will set out,” he continued. “I believe – in the-long term – we’ll have a clearer and less bureaucratic system for public health. The end result will focus on turning expert advice and support into better health,” added Mr Lansley.