Elliott Review – Integrity of Food Network

Professor Chris Elliott has released his interim review in to the ‘Integrity and Assurance of Supply Networks’.  The report was not entirely driven by the ‘horsemeat scandle’ although it is acknowledged that this was a strong ‘trigger’.  Commissioned by DEFRA, the report identifies the main weaknesses which surround the integrity and assurance of the food supply chain and which areas impact on comsumer confidence.   In the review, Professor Elliot also pointed out that the food chain is exposed to organised crime as well as small scale fraud and makes proposales to tackle it.  The review makes recommendations on how to address these weaknesses although Professor Elliott is keen to point out that his recommendations are ‘interdependent’ and he uses a ‘systems approach’ which is intended to provide a framework to allow the development of a national food crime prevention strategy.  In all there are 48 recommendations within 8 characteristics.  In summary these include;

Consumer First – Industry, government and enforcement agencies should put consumers above all other considerations

Zero Tolerance – Discourage even minor dishonisties

Intelligence Gathering – Shared investment between Government and industry into intelligence gathering and sharing

Laboratory Services – Creating a public sector laboratory system

Audit – Audit and assurance schemes must be recognised and given credit.  Less burdonsome but undertaken randomly and routinely

Government Support – Better partnership between government departments and a more robust FSA

Leadership – Establishing a dedicated Food Crime Unit hosted within the FSA to coordinate investigations and prosecutions

Crisis Management – Recommendations on how to ensure roles and responsibilities are known in the event of a food crisis

The full review can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/264997/pb14089-elliot-review-interim-20131212.pdf The final report will published in the coming Spring.