Report on Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum on next steps for food standards and regulations in the UK

On the morning of Wednesday 6 March, our Vice President, Professor Chris Elliott, presented on behalf of CIEH at the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar: Next steps for food regulation and standards in the UK.

Surrounded by other key experts in the field of food regulation, Prof Elliott raised CIEH’s key positions in what needs to be addressed in food regulation going forwards. Working in CIEH’s policy team, I was keen to hear from these speakers and listen in on key conversations that are critical to the environmental health profession currently.

Westminster Forum Projects had arranged a great array of expert speakers including Jim Cathcart, Policy Director at UKHospitality, David Young, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard and Una Kane, Environmental Health Manager at the Rother and Wealden District Council.

The talk covered a whole host of interesting issues that have dominated food safety regulatory debate in recent months.

Prof Chris Elliott was the third presenter to speak, with topics covered during the talk including implications of FSA’s plan for national oversight, key issues to address across the UK, addressing skills shortages and strengthening local resources, ensuring effective food safety monitoring, data submission by large businesses, economic considerations for the agri-food industry, tackling food crime and protecting food system integrity, priorities and frameworks for collaboration.

Prof Elliott began his presentation by reminding those watching that EHPs are the “unsung heroes of the food safety system”, and that their local work regulating businesses providing food to the public keeps everyone and their families safe day in and day out.

However, he did not shy away from pointing out the challenges in this system. Reflecting on the level of foodborne illness in the UK – Prof Elliott shared that approximately 1 in every 30 people each year suffer from a foodborne illness in the UK. However, he then compared this figure to the USA, where the statistic is closer to 1 in 7. He pointed out that although food safety is an ongoing and difficult issue, we do have a good food safety system protecting us here.

Prof Elliott then directly addressed the debate that has been taking place over recent months, and by speakers throughout this forum, that the regulatory system needs change, to ensure further consistency, minimise impacts on businesses and address workforce challenges. He pointed out that, CIEH’s mission, and what must continue to be the core consideration in a debate often fuelled by the motivation to save money, is the need to ensure any changes protect public health.

It was shared that CIEH believe the best way to do this is through the use of local oversight, ensuring local officers visit food businesses and utilise their unique local knowledge alongside their expertise in environmental and public health to work with food business owners.

Chris then raised one of the most important food safety issues to CIEH, that we believe needs to be addressed as soon as possible – making the display of food hygiene rating scores at food premises in England mandatory. The fact that this has led to significant disparities in display across Wales, NI and England was a key point – met by support from those watching and listening in, and even shock from the Chair, Mike Reader MP, Chair of the Food and Drink APPG.

Prof Elliott shared that over 90% of food establishments in Wales and NI show their display ratings, a trend that is seen year-in and year-out. However, display rates sit firmly around two thirds in England. Raising the rise in delivery-only kitchens, and the rise in people relying more and more on take away and delivery services, Prof Elliott made it clear that it is important now, more than ever, that the UK government bring England up to speed with NI and Wales to ensure food businesses cannot opt out of this core public health measure.

Prof Elliott’s presentation was met by a lot of support from delegates, including a comment from CEO of the FSA, Katie Pettifer, sharing that “Chris raises a very good point about mandatory display of FHRS in England. We think this would be an excellent thing to do and have said so to ministers in successive governments.”

The Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar provided a valuable platform for discussing the future of food regulation and standards in the UK. Prof Elliott's presentation highlighted the critical role of Environmental Health Practitioners in maintaining food safety and the need for regulatory changes to address current challenges yet protect public health.

The support from delegates, including the CEO of the FSA, underscores the importance of mandatory food hygiene rating displays in England. As we move forward, it is essential to continue these conversations and highlight the key role of EHPs in keeping our food safe.