A lot has happened since the first edition of 'A Practical Guide to the
Law Relating to Food' was published in 2018.
The United Kingdom has ceased to be a member of the European Union. This
was mentioned in the concluding chapter of the first edition where I
said: "Brexit creates uncertainty; businesses, and to some extent,
consumers want to avoid uncertainty".
We now have certainty in some respects. The UK has now left the EU and
the regulatory and trading landscape between the two jurisdictions has
changed in many ways. However, there remains much that is uncertain; the
position of Northern Ireland being a prime example.
Some of the present uncertainty has arisen from the impact of the
Covid-19 pandemic and this has created a double whammy of problems for
businesses, regulators, advisers and particularly consumers.
This updated edition highlights, and provide reference point for, some
of the major changes to food law in Great Britain (England, Wales and
Scotland) arising from the UK being outside the EU. GB legislation
required significant updating to take account of GB institutions such as
the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland being responsible
for matters relating to regulation and authorisations.
Although Northern Ireland remains in the UK, it is currently subject to
EU food law and therefore the substantive legal changes in that
jurisdiction have been minimal.
The early chapters of the book describe the legal and regulatory changes
that have occurred in GB since 31 December 2020, particularly in respect
of revisions to retained EU law and domestic food legislation and the
authorisation process.
Subsequent chapters focus on safety, hygiene, food information and
nutrition and health claims and notes the changes made to domestic
legislation.
There follows a discussion about traceability, withdrawal and recalls,
official controls and enforcement, prosecutions and sentencing.
It is important to note that despite the major changes necessitated by
the UK leaving the EU, much of the day-to-day activity has stayed the
same. Food businesses are still obliged to produce safe food that is as
described, competent authorities continue to inspect and enforce and the
courts make decisions that affect businesses, authorities and consumers.
The book does not lose sight of this and provides practical examples of
a food poisoning incident, breaches of hygiene legislation, food
information and claims as well as withdrawals and recalls, prosecutions
and sentencing.
As this is a practical guide to food law, it has not been possible to
make any more than a passing reference to changes relating to customs
and trade procedures.
This book may be useful for anyone with a professional interest in food
law and regulation whether as students, academics, business operators,
workers in the food industry or legal and regulatory professionals. It
may also be of interest to anyone who wants a general introduction to
the way in which UK food law has developed and continues to develop
since 1 January 2021.
CONTENTS
Chapter One - Food Law in the UK
Chapter Two - The Regulation of Food Businesses and Foodstuffs
Chapter Three - Food Safety
Chapter Four - Food Hygiene
Chapter Five - Food Information to Consumers
Chapter Six - Nutrition and Health Claims
Chapter Seven - Traceability, Withdrawal and Recalls
Chapter Eight - Official Controls and Enforcement
Chapter Nine - Criminal Prosecutions
Chapter Ten - Sentencing
Chapter Eleven - Conclusions and the Future for Food Law in the UK
