Friday 29th August, 2014

Today's Guardian reports that Professor Chris Elliott’s long-awaited review of the food industry, commissioned in the wake of the horsemeat scandal, is expected to be published at the start of September. Based on the review’s interim findings published last December, the final report is expected to include recommendations to introduce a new requirement for all parties operating or managing the food chain to put consumers’ interests first over all other aims, along with laboratory services that use standardised, validated methodologies for inspecting food.

Warning that the sector is a “soft touch” for criminals, the Elliott Review is also expected to recommend a new food crime unit, given that there is currently no unit within major police organisations, such as the Association of Chief Police Officers or the Metropolitan police, that speaks out on food crime.

Despite complaints at an industry level about the time it has taken to complete the review, the writing is on the wall and positive action should already have been taken to shorten supply chains and improve visibility.