Fewer inspections for firms with good safety record

Andrew Rhodes, FSA chief operating officer, told Food Manufacture’s​ Food safety conference last week that regulators should consider targeting resources on firms which either posed a greater food safety risk or had yet to receive an inspection.

In this wide-ranging video interview, Rhodes told FoodManufacture.co.uk that “earned recognition” ​had a greater role to play in targeting food inspections.

Food safety​

But fewer inspections would not necessarily compromise food safety, he added. Compliance with food regulations had risen in recent years, thanks partly to information sharing among regulators.

Rhodes also predicted what topics were likely to make food safety and traceability headlines over the coming year.

The main sponsors of the conference, held at the National Motorcycle Museum, near Birmingham on Thursday October 17, were: Intertek, Ishida and Alchemy.

Associated sponsors were NSF, Safefood 360, Softrace and the Institute of Food Research.

Rhodes confirmed the FSA intended to name and shame​ food businesses guilty of sub-standard food safety practices.

Watch out for more news and views from Food Manufacture’s Food safety conference later this week.