Professor Poppy explains how our enhanced risk analysis process will continue to protect consumer interests after the EU transition period by providing the best independent, scientific advice to ensure all food sold in the UK complies with the highest safety standards. 

Professor Poppy said: 

A strong, scientific, evidence-based approach has always been, and will always be, integral to our mission to ensure food is safe, is what it says it is, and to empower consumers to make informed choices. 

‘This, my 9th and final Chief Scientific Adviser report, provides a summary of our strengthened risk analysis process and explains how science lies at its heart. 

‘We have developed a risk analysis process which is world-leading in food safety regulation, particularly in ensuring transparency, public understanding and trust in the advice we provide. 

‘After the transition period, this process will be used to authorise regulated products for the UK market, such as additives and flavourings, and to make our own national human health risk assessment of, for example, genetically modified (GM) foods. It will also be used to evaluate other issues relating to food production, such as chemical washes.’ 

Heather Hancock, Chair of the FSA, said:  

‘For 20 years the FSA’s purpose has been to make sure food is safe and what it says it is. As we make our final preparations for another significant milestone, the end of the transition period after leaving the EU, our emphasis has been on establishing a robust and resilient risk analysis process, one that puts the UK in a strong position to protect our high standards of food and feed safety, and maintains consumer confidence and trust.’ 

The report explains the three components of risk analysis: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication, as well as how to handle uncertainties when advising on food and feed safety. In-line with our core principles of openness and transparency, food safety risk management advice provided to others – including government ministers – will be published along with the analysis and evidence on which that advice is based.