Food bodies raise concern about lack of import controls post Brexit

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The FSA and FSS stressed there is no evidence the standards of products coming from the European Union have fallen, but they said: “The current situation does reduce our ability to prevent foods that do not meet the UK’s high standards from being placed on our market.” The two organisations raised their concerns in their inaugural annual report, which was published after what was described as being a challenging time for the food sector. This joint report comes at what we believe is a make or break juncture for food quality and safety, as we transition into a post-pandemic landscape and take on new responsibilities following our departure from the EU Heather Kelman, chair, Food Standards Scotland The report also highlighted the “fall in the level of local authority inspections of food businesses” during the pandemic. Looking at eating habits across the UK, the report said there had been “very little change in the nation’s nutrient intake over the last decade, with many people still falling short of official dietary recommendations”. The report said: “When adjusted for inflation, we were spending 5.8% more on food in real terms in 2021 than we did over the previous five years on average, though this will vary between households.” FSS chair, Heather Kelman said: “This joint report comes at what we believe is a make or break juncture for food quality and safety, as we transition into a post-pandemic landscape and take on new responsibilities following our departure from the EU.” She added: “It is really encouraging that this evidence-led report has found that our high food standards we strive for in Scotland and the rest of the UK have been upheld during a particularly challenging period.