Queen's Prof To Lead UK Food Review

A Queen's professor has been appointed to lead an independent review of Britain's food system following the recent horsemeat scandal.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced Professor Chris Elliott from Queen’s Institute for Global Food Security will helm the review.

The team will will focus on consumer confidence in the authenticity of food products and attempt to locate any weaknesses in food supply networks which could have implications for food safety and public health.

The review will look specifically at the recent horsemeat scandal, the responsibility of businesses to consumers and how to support consumer confidence.

Findings will then be used to form recommendations to Defra and the Department of Health on how the UK can increase the resilience of its food systems.

Announcing the appointment, UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Consumers have the right to know that the food they’re eating contains what it says on the label. Food fraud is completely unacceptable and those who engage in it are criminals. As well as pursuing them to the full extent of the law, we must also address any weaknesses in our food system."

Professor Elliott said: "I am delighted that I have been asked to lead this review. I look forward to working with all those responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of our food supply. Our shared challenge is to prove to the public that they can trust the systems that put food on their plate."

The review will begin in early June and will take nine to 12 months to complete.

(IT/CD)