The Food Standards Agency has launched a new advisory unit to tackle food fraud.

The Food Fraud Advisory Unit (FFAU) consists of environmental health, trading standards and port health experts with extensive experience of conducting food fraud investigations. The unit can offer advice to local authorities on the legal framework for investigations, appropriate use of evidence-gathering techniques and how to co-ordinate multi-agency investigations.

Examples of food fraud include knowingly selling goods past their use by date, misleading shoppers (eg describing farmed salmon as wild or adulterating basmati rice with cheaper varieties), or making false statements about the source of ingredients.

The FFAU will replace the Illegal Meat Task Force but continue its work within a far broader remit.

l To report possible fraud email foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk