The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published the results of a study which looked at the origin of foods claiming to be from the UK and Ireland. No cases of food on sale with misleading country of origin claims were identified in the investigation. The study, which used a screening technique known as stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA), followed up with investigating traceability documentation. It examined 96 food samples (beef, pork, lamb, apple juice, tomatoes and honey). Samples were taken from mid-December 2013 to early January 2014. The samples were mostly taken from retail or wholesale outlets, although four samples of raw beef burgers were obtained from caterers. The FSA said that the samples were not fully representative of the market but, within the limitations of a small study, provided a reasonable spread across retailers and across the UK. Samples were taken from both top end food ranges and economy ranges.
Published Wednesday 1 October 2014
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
