The archived official site of the Inquiry into BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) in the United Kingdom is accessible here on the National Archives site. It includes the full report of the Inquiry (published October 2000), documentary evidence submitted and transcripts of oral hearings.
The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of international food standards and guidelines and codes of practice relating to food, food production and food safety. It has been developed and maintained since 1963 by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, under the joint auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the World Health Organization. All standards are listed, with the texts of most available for downloading.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England. This section of the GOV.UK web site provides information on Defra’s activities, policies, announcements, consultations, publications and statistics.
This is a section devoted to food safety on the web site of the European Commission. The “Food” area contains information about food safety, labelling, and nutrition, with links to the General Food Law Regulation 2002 and other legislation. There are also sections on animal health and welfare and plant health.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is a European Union agency providing independent scientific advice on all matters related to food and animal feed, including Community legislation. Its web site includes press releases and newsletters, as well as the scientific opinions and guidance of the various EFSA panels and committees.
The web site of the Legal Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations provides access to FAO basic texts and to the FAOLEX database covering national legislation, policies and bilateral agreements relating to food, agriculture and the management of natural resources. The database has a number of thematic collections, and there are links to other associated databases, and to the FAO Treaties Database.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial government department created in 2000 to protect public health and consumer interests in relation to food. Information and guidance on food law and regulation in the UK can be found in the “Business Guidance” section, and legislation and codes of practice can be found via the link to “Key Regulation” on the “About Us” page.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was established on 1 April 2015 as a non-ministerial office with responsibility for implementing and monitoring food safety and food standards in Scotland. It took over the responsibilities of the UK’s Food Standards Agency in respect of Scotland, with additional responsibilities concerning diet and nutrition. Its web site provides guidance for consumers and businesses, including a downloadable Scottish Food and Feed Law Guide (PDF) with extensive links to UK and EU legislation.
This site provides an extensive collection of information and links relating to UK, European and international food law. It is maintained by Dr David Jukes of the University of Reading Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has been the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises in England, Scotland and Wales since 27 September 2010. Its web site includes information, standards, guidance and links to legislation. There are searchable online registers of pharmacies, training premises, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The section “Raising concerns” includes determinations in fitness to practise hearings.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, formed in 2003 from a merger of the Medical Devices Agency and the Medicines Control Agency. Its section of the GOV.UK web site contains information, news and documents relating to the regulation of medicines and medical devices in the UK.
The Society is the regulatory and professional body for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. Its register is searchable online. Other content includes guidance, links to legislation, the Code of Ethics, and details of the complaint procedure.
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