General principles of food safety and food law, which food businesses must comply with, are established in legislation. Primarily, food placed on the market must be safe. Additional principles covered, include: traceability of food, presentation of food, provision of suitable food information, withdrawal or recall of unsafe food placed on the market, and food imports and exports.
The enforcement of regulations on food standards, safety and hygiene is primarily the responsibility of local authorities (e.g. trading standards and environmental health), however the creation of food law in the UK is the function of central government and the devolved administrations.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) supervise local authority enforcement across the UK and work with enforcement officers to make sure food law is applied across the food chain. The FSA and FSS have developed Food Law Codes of Practice which give instructions that local authorities must consider when enforcing food law.
Updates & milestones
FSA Food Law Code of Practice & Local Authorities
The Food Law Code of Practice gives instructions that local authorities must consider when enforcing food law. Local authorities need to follow and implement the relevant sections of the Code that apply.
FSA Food Law Codes of Practice and Guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
FSS Food Law Codes of Practice and Guidance for Scotland
For practical support and advice companies should contact their Local Authority Trading Standards office or their Primary Authority.
Receive updates on this topic
Want to keep up to date on this topic?
You can receive email updates on this topic by registering for an FDF account.
You can edit your preferences so that you receive updates on the topics and the type of information you are interested in.
Interested in becoming a member?
FDF members have access to a range of benefits to grow, protect and strengthen their business.
Gain an advantage, join FDF today.
Related topics
Food information and regulatory assurance
To inform and protect consumers' interests in food, regulatory systems are in place to ensure that food law is applied across the food chain.
General food labelling
Food labelling is an important means of providing essential information to consumers. This includes details on a food’s ingredients, composition, durability, storage and preparation requirements, any safety related information and identification of the manufacturer.
Nutrition labelling
The communication of a food’s nutritional properties supports consumers to make informed food purchasing decision.
EU exit
The FDF produces a range of resources to help guide companies through the complexities arising as the UK leaves the EU. This includes our Brexit Roadmap resource. The FDF also runs various Brexit-related committees.