Overall, 72 percent of targeted surveillance samples were deemed satisfactory. Because the survey focused on products that are targeted due to their higher-risk status, FSA noted that the findings should not be interpreted as representative of overall compliance across the UK food market.

Key findings include:

• Undeclared allergens: 88 percent of 205 samples were compliant. Most allergen issues were identified in Dubai-style chocolates, where undeclared peanut and sesame were frequently detected, and in South Asian bakery and snack products, where undeclared milk and egg proteins were found. All products tested for undeclared gluten were compliant.
• Authenticity: 81 percent of 285 samples were authentic. Goat meat products showed the highest rate of substitution, with half of the samples sold as “goat” identified as sheep meat—and one sample identified as deer. Authenticity issues were also identified in processed meat products (38 percent), premium ground coffee (7.5 percent), one cooking oil, and one fish product.
• Composition: 91 percent of 385 samples were satisfactory. Failures included glycerol in slush-ice drinks at levels above the FSA-recommended thresholds, lower-than-declared meat content and excessive fat or tissues in some burgers and sausages, and chocolate products containing less cocoa solids than declared.
• Contamination: 90 percent of 295 samples complied with applicable regulatory standards; however, eight Dubai-style chocolate samples exceeded legal limits for the mycotoxins aflatoxins or ochratoxin A. Some ashwagandha supplements contained elevated aflatoxin levels, while two exceeded legal limits for cadmium. Two raw tuna samples also exceeded the maximum permitted mercury concentration.
• Unauthorized ingredients: 95 percent of 145 samples were satisfactory. Non-compliances were identified in slush-ice drinks containing excessive levels of saccharin or color additives, as well as green powdered supplements containing unauthorized preservatives or colorants.
• Labeling: Of 621 products assessed for labeling, 76 percent were satisfactory. Nearly all (42 of 45) Dubai-style chocolates had at least one labeling failure, including missing durability dates, incomplete ingredient lists, inadequate allergen emphasis, absent UK importer information, and incorrect product descriptions. Labeling issues were also identified in food supplements, cooking oils, processed meat products, and chocolate products.

Imported Products Present a Challenge

FSA reported that non-compliance was more common among imported and niche products, especially Dubai-style chocolates, South Asian bakery and snack products, and ashwagandha supplements. Only one of the 45 Dubai-style chocolate samples, 36 of which were imported, was compliant with all applicable requirements.

Products From Large Retailers Had Higher Compliance Rate

The survey also found differences in compliance by retail type. Products purchased from larger retailers achieved an 82 percent satisfactory rate, compared with 64 percent among products sourced from smaller food businesses.

FSA also reported challenges with online purchases, noting that some products received did not match their online listings. For example, precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) was only identified upon receipt in 14 instances, with this information not available at the time of purchase.