A virtual food authenticity network has been launched the Government to help raise awareness of the tools which are available to check for mislabelling and food fraud and to ensure the UK has a resilient testing network of laboratories to check for food authenticity.
The new unit, which will be overseen by the UK’s deputy government chemist, Selvarani Elahi, is a Defra initiative set up in response to the recommendations made by the Elliott Review into the integrity and assurance of food supply networks.
The initiative is aimed at everyone involved in food authenticity testing with an invitation for new “members” to register on the network website to receive news alerts on relevant issues and take part in discussions about food testing.
“The network will raise awareness of the tools available to check for mislabelling and food fraud and ensure that the UK has a resilient network of laboratories with fit-for-purpose testing to check for food authenticity,” it was stated in a Gov.UK launch statement.
“It will bring all relevant materials together in one place, including research material relating to food authenticity, standard operating procedures, and authenticity surveys.”