Launched today (7 January), the consultation allows stakeholders to provide feedback and input on a draft guidance document developed with a multi-stakeholder working group that included food manufacturers, trade bodies, consumer organisations and enforcement authorities.
Interested parties have until 4 February to submit their views.
The aim of the consultation is to produce guidance that will assist food businesses in complying with food law, the FSA said.
“We welcome views on whether the guidance offers FBOs and UK food enforcement authorities’ sufficient information and supporting tools to aid compliance with food law and advice on best practice in the event that a food safety issue is identified, and a withdrawal or recall required,” the FSA said.
The guidance also provides advice and supporting tools to both food businesses and food enforcement authorities in how to deal with food safety withdrawals and recalls.
In addition to the minimum legal requirements, it also includes advice for best practice.
According to the FSA said the new guidance will aim to clarify the roles and responsibilities of key players involved in food safety withdrawals and recalls to help food businesses make consumer recall notifications more consistent and accessible.
It also aims to help industry make trade communications more effective, as well as developing and implementing systematic root cause analysis procedures for industry in the event of food safety incidents.
The new guidance replaces the previous Guidance Notes for Food Business Operators on Food Safety, Traceability, Product Withdrawal and Recall, published in 2007.
The full draft guidance notes can be read here.
For details on how to submit feedback, click here.
