CIEH Food Advisory Panel engages with FSA on ABC programme

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Food Advisory Panel held a constructive workshop with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on Friday 22 September 2023, as part of the stakeholder engagement process for the Achieving Business Compliance (ABC) programme.

The ABC programme is a major reform initiative that aims to modernise and improve the way food businesses are regulated in the UK, ensuring a consistent and proportionate approach that protects public health and supports economic growth.

The workshop was an opportunity for CIEH members to share their views and expertise directly with the FSA, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of the ABC programme from an environmental health perspective. The panel members discussed various aspects of the programme, such as the role of assurance schemes, the use of data and technology, and the impact on local authorities and consumers.

The CIEH Food Advisory Panel is a group of experts and practitioners who advise CIEH on food safety and standards issues. The panel aims to influence policy and practice, promote best practice, and support the professional development of environmental health professionals in the food sector.

Louise Hosking, Executive Director of Environmental Health at CIEH, said:

"We are very pleased to have had this productive dialogue with the FSA on the ABC programme. We appreciate their openness and willingness to listen to our feedback and concerns.

We believe that environmental health professionals have a vital role to play in ensuring the success of the ABC programme, as they are at the frontline of protecting public health and supporting food businesses. We hope that this workshop will be a starting point, rather than a final destination, in terms of our engagement with the FSA on this important reform programme.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration and contributing to the development and implementation of the ABC programme."