Food law and enforcement

Food law enforcement agencies

Guide

In the UK, day-to-day responsibility for enforcing food controls is divided between central and local government.

The central food law enforcement authorities in the UK are:

Most food law is enforced by local councils throughout the UK. The FSA supervises local council enforcement and works with local enforcement officers to make sure food law is applied throughout the food chain.

Food law enforcement in Northern Ireland

Local authorities enforce food law for food businesses like cafes, restaurants, food manufacturers and food shops. They are also responsible for enforcement in other food businesses that produce products of animal origin, such as fisheries businesses.

DAERA Agri-food Inspection Branch enforces:

The Veterinary Public Health Unit of DAERA enforces meat inspection(link is external) for meat establishments.