Government Departments & Other Support Organisations

Food Standards Agency
Website: www.food.gov.uk

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) was formed in 2000 from some departments of MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and the DoH(Department of Health). It was set up to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food in the wake of the BSE problem. It provides advice and information to the public and Government on food safety from farm to fork, nutrition and diet through effective food enforcement and monitoring. The Agency's key aims for 2001 to 2006 are to: - reduce food borne illness by 20% by improving food safety right through the food chain - help people to eat more healthily - promote honest and informative labelling to help consumers - promote best practice within the food industry - improve the enforcement of food law - earn people's trust by what they do and how they do it by working hard to ensure that they provide the UK's most reliable source of advice and information about food.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
Formed in 2001 from some departments of MAFF and some from the DETR.For information on the work of the whole of the department contact the helpline on tel: 08459 335577; Fax: 020 7270 8419; E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The Helpline's aim is to improve the Department's communications with its business customers and the general public by offering callers a clear route into the Department and the information it can provide.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Website: www.dti.gov.uk
The DTI (formerly the Board of Trade) has had more impact on public life than most government departments. Its stated aim is to increase competitiveness and scientific excellence in order to generate higher levels of sustainable growth and productivity in a modern economy.The website has information on all kinds of employment-related issues.

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)
Website: www.dtlr.gov.uk
This was formerly the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. Environmental matters are now part of the remit of DEFRA. Electoral law and local byelaws are transferred to this department from the Home Office which brings the responsibility for elections and for local government into one department.

Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Service (LACORS)
Website: www.lacots.com
Formerly LACOTS, it is responsible to the local authority Associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to assist the 467 local authorities in the United Kingdom to improve the quality of trading standards and food enforcement by promoting coordination consistency and good regulation.

Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA)
Website: www.campden.co.uk
The CCFRA Group is an independent membership-based organisation carrying out research and development for the food and drinks industry worldwide. It is committed to providing industry with the research, technical and advisory service needed to ensure product safety and quality, process efficiency and product and process innovation. There is an R & D programme driven by industry needs and contract research is undertaken on behalf of UK government departments, industrial consortia and the European Union. There is a substantial training and information service, independent consultancy, factory and laboratory auditing, product/process development and market research services. In addition, the Group publishes good manufacturing practice guidelines, technical manuals and software products for industry.

Leatherhead Food Research Association (LFRA)
Website:www.lfra.co.uk
LFRA is an international research, information and training centrefor the food and drinks industry. It is a membership-based organisation providing a range of services essential to companies dealing with value-added products in the UK, mainland European or international market place. The Combined Science Unit carries out confidential contract R &D for individual Member Companies and offers a fast, reliable, competitively priced service for microbiological testing, chemical and taint analysis and foreign body identification. The Information Division collates and interprets published information for the global food and drinks industry. Its activities are split into three main areas - Science and Technology, Market Intelligence and worldwide Food Legislation. Training and conferences, the Libraryand Publications are also part of this division as are the Foodlinedatabases.

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) Website: www.rssl.co.uk
RSSL provides science and technology outsourcing to the food, drink and consumer goods industries and their suppliers in the agriculture, ingredients and chemical sectors. The business is founded on scientific expertise and industry-leading customer service operating within the framework of externally accredited quality systems. Services offered include: - Microbiology - Consultancy - Emergency Response Service - Training

Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD)
Website: www.igd.com
A source of information, research and education for the food and grocery industry. The only organisation in the world that has members from all parts of the food and grocery market - retailers, caterers, wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers. Plus packaging companies and those that service and comment on the industry such as consumer groups. From this unique position, the IGD are experts on the grocery supply chain and also have a good understanding of shoppers. The IGD brings the whole industry together to address issues and examine strategies for the future.

Society of Dairy Technology (SDT)
Website: www.sdt.org
The Society of Dairy Technology, founded on 1943, is the professional organisation dedicated to the advancement of Dairy Science and Technology in the British and Irish dairy industries. The Society organises Conferences, Symposia and Residential Courses on relevant technical topics; and it publishes the renowned "International Journal of Dairy Technology", and a range of Technical Publications/Manuals. A "Technical Forum" section on its website provides answers to technical questions, based on the Society possessing, through its members, a specialist and unique knowledge base in Dairy Technology.