UK FSA Proposes Granting Search and Entry Powers to National Food Crime Unit for Food Fraud Investigations
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation on proposed enhanced investigatory powers for the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), FSA’s law enforcement unit, in England and Wales under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 (PACE). FSA aims to secure further legal powers for NFCU that will enable the agency to effectively investigate food crime with autonomy, and will reduce its dependency on partners like local authorities and police.
The consultation, which is open until August 6, 2023, is most relevant to legislators, ministerial and non-ministerial government departments concerned with food safety and fraud investigation, those working in policing and enforcement, professional standards bodies and inspectorates, the devolved administrations, local authorities, trading standards officers, environmental and public health professionals, food business operators and trade bodies, consumers, and civil liberties organizations.