Defra is responsible for policy on food labelling, composition and standards, which includes responsibility for the food authenticity research programme. The Government’s Food Authenticity Programme plays an important role in ensuring consumer confidence in our food and where it comes from through the development and dissemination of analytical tools to verify food labelling. The programme has a broad remit addressing a wide range of food commodities and mislabelling issues. Providing these tools for both enforcement and industry use helps ensure a level playing field, supporting a competitive and resilient food supply that consumers trust.
The UK is already recognised as a world leader in the area of food authenticity, utilising innovative science to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. The authenticity programme works closely with representatives from the food industry, enforcement authorities, FSA, consumers and academia to identify priority areas to address. Recognising the global and changing nature of food chains, partnerships and collaborations are key to effectively maximising the impact of authenticity research.
The research programme is primarily geared towards providing fit for purpose methods for the detection of food fraud, food adulteration and mis-labelling for use by enforcement authorities. This supports Defra’s overall objective to ensure a world leading food and farming industry and that consumers should be able to make informed choices about the food they buy and that it is safe to eat and accurately labelled.
The Food Authenticity Research Programme is supported by two independent expert advisory groups: the Authenticity Steering Group (ASG) and the Authenticity Methods Working Group (AMWG). More information about these two groups can be found at the links below
