FSA publishes Strategic Plan
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. Particular attention is given to protecting public health and consumers’ interests in relation to food, ensuring that food is safe and what it says it is, having access to an affordable healthy diet and enabling informed choices about what we eat, now and in the future.
The FSA Strategy 2015-20 reinvigorated the agency’s pledge to put consumers first in everything it does, while recognising that there are growing challenges around food safety, affordability, security and sustainability.
The plan makes clear the FSA’s purpose and responsibilities, and the roles and responsibilities of others, in meeting these. It sets out how it plans to work with the food industry, local authorities and other parts of government, and with scientists, consumer and community groups and other stakeholders.
The plan also outlines the approaches the agency will take when carrying out its 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.
