Country of origin labelling study clears retailers

The study used a screening technique known as stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) and entailed verifying traceability documents.

An analysis of 96 food samples (beef, pork, lamb, apple juice, tomatoes and honey), which claimed to be from the UK or the Republic of Ireland, was made. Samples were taken from mid-December 2013 to early January 2014.

‘Accurate information’​

“It’s vital that consumers are provided with a true picture as to where the food they buy comes from,”​ FSA chief operating officer Andrew Rhodes, said. “If it says it’s produce from the UK then it should be. We wanted, in this study, to check whether people were receiving accurate information on the origin of their food and the results are reassuring for consumers and businesses.​

“We also wanted to gain experience of using the relatively new SIRA technology as a tool to show the country of origin of foodstuffs. We found SIRA effective in raising questions about where a food comes from, but we relied on traceability information to further investigate origin.​

“DEFRA [the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] and the FSA are continuing to work with the research community and industry to improve our ability to test the origin of foods and we look to build on this useful piece of work in the months ahead.”​

The samples were mostly taken from retail or wholesale outlets, although four samples of raw beef burgers were obtained from caterers.

Reasonable spread​

The FSA recognised the samples were not fully representative of the market, but said that, within the limitations of a small study, they provided a reasonable spread across retailers and across the UK. Samples were taken from premium and economy ranges.

Of the 96 samples screened using SIRA, 78 were shown immediately to be consistent with the origin claimed and 18 were identified for follow-up investigation. Traceability and other evidence were requested for 17 of these samples. In all 17 cases the evidence supplied supported the country of origin claim.

For food law authorities it is very valuable to have a screening test that can help target investigation. SIRA had indicated real potential, the FSA said.

For some foods it was already a realistic possibility for enforcement authorities to use SIRA screening, although for others some further development would be beneficial, it said.