Strategic Plan sets out FSA’s responsibilities for the future

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published its Strategic Plan, setting out how it will work over the next five years to deliver the goals of the FSA Strategy 2015-20.

The Strategy 2015-20 reinvigorated the FSA’s pledge to put consumers first, while recognising there are growing challenges around food safety, affordability, security and sustainability.

The Strategic Plan makes clear the FSA’s purpose and responsibilities, and the roles and responsibilities of others, in meeting these. It sets out plans to work with the food industry, local authorities and other parts of government, and with scientists, consumer and community groups and other stakeholders.

Strategic Plan outlines approaches FSA will take to carry out work

The Strategic Plan also outlines the approaches the FSA will take when carrying out work. These include:

• using science, evidence and information both to tackle the challenges of today, and to identify and contribute to addressing emerging risks for the future
• using legislative and non-legislative tools highly effectively to protect consumer interests and deliver consumer benefits – influencing business behaviour in the interests of consumers
• being genuinely open and engaging, finding ways to empower consumers both in policy making and delivery, and in their relationship with the food industry

As part of Year 1 key initiatives for food safety, the FSA has already published the final set of results from its year-long survey of campylobacter. The FSA plan to start a new campylobacter survey later this year as well as develop a listeria reduction plan.

The Strategic Plan, which includes other key initiatives the FSA will carry out in the first two years, can be found here: food.gov.uk/strategydocument