FSA Consultation Letter, 1 October 2009

ADMINISTRATION - Review of communications with local authorities during incidents

A copy of the consultation package is available on this site. See: Incidents - Communications with Local Authorities

Responses are requested by: 24 December 2009

Consultation details

Who will this consultation be of most interest to?

Food enforcement bodies, food industry and consumers.

What is the subject of this consultation?

Review of communications with local authorities during incidents.

What is the purpose of this consultation?

To seek stakeholder comments on proposed changes to communications with local authorities during incidents, to ensure that information reaches all interested parties in the most effective way.

Proposals

The key proposals are as follows:

Key proposal(s):

• Replacement of the Food Alert for Information with a Product Withdrawal/Recall Information Notice, used in cases of product withdrawals or recalls where all the correct action has been taken by the companies involved and no action is required by local authorities. Food Alerts for Action would remain unchanged and be used in cases where companies demonstrate that they cannot or will not adequately recall affected products. This will ensure that local authorities receive fewer Food Alerts. The change will also address industry’s concerns about the terminology used while still ensuring that consumers are informed about product withdrawals or recalls. As well as being issued to local authorities, the Product Withdrawal/Recall Information Notice would also be published online.
• Production of a summary of possible communication routes for when to publish Product Withdrawal/Recall Information Notices, Food Alerts for Action, Allergy Alerts, web stories, press releases and letters. This should ensure a more consistent approach and give stakeholders a clearer understanding of likely action in different circumstances.
• Production of standard template letters to local authorities and port health authorities to ensure a consistent approach.

Consultation process

Questions asked in this consultation:

• We are proposing to replace the existing Food Alert for Information (FAFI) with a Product Recall/Withdrawal Information Notice (see Annexe C in the consultation package). The Food Alert for Action (FAFA) will remain unchanged. Do you support this course of action? If not, please explain briefly your reasoning. We would additionally be grateful for any comments on the draft Product Recall/Withdrawal Information Notice at Annexe C.
• Do you have any comments on Annexe D regarding possible communication routes during incidents and the likely circumstances under which these would be used. For example, are there any additional factors that should be considered?
• Do you have any comments on the draft standard letter template at Annexe E to local authorities and port health authorities?

Other relevant documents

You may wish to refer to the following documents which can be found on the FSA web site:

• Incident Response Protocol
• Annual Report of Incidents 2008
• Principles for Preventing and Responding to Food Incidents (guidance document produced by the FSA’s Taskforce on Incidents)

In addition, a dedicated incidents section providing further information is available.

 Responses

Responses are required by close 24 December 2009. Please state, in your response, whether you are responding as a private individual or on behalf of an organisation/company (including details of any stakeholders your organisation represents).