Presentation at the Association of Port Health Authorities AGM
The Union Jack Club, London, hosted the Association of Port Health Authorities AGM and Port Health Training Day on 14 November 2024. Selvarani Elahi (pictured above) outlined the role of the Government Chemist (GC) in the UK official food and feed control system. Using examples of rice originating from China, analysed for GMOs, and […]
DVLA’s top tips for avoiding scams
DVLA is reminding motorists how they can keep themselves safe from vehicle and driving licence scams. Latest figures show that in 2024, almost 20,000 customers called DVLA’s contact centre to report fraudulent activity. With fraudsters increasingly using more sophisticated ways to trick their victims, it has never been more important for motorists to be vigilant and […]
E-seminar: Weight of Evidence approach in food authenticity
A Weight of Evidence approach is typically employed for food authenticity investigations in situations where screening tests do not provide a definitive answer, or where there is no applicable legal limit for what is being evaluated. In these types of situations, gathering and assessing several different forms of evidence may aid in coming to a […]
New Guidance for Evaluating the Impact of AI Tools
In December the Evaluation Task Force published a new annex to the Magenta Book, focusing on best practice for evaluating the impact of AI evaluation methods (click here to read the guidance). The guidance will enhance the safety and confidence with which government departments and agencies can adopt AI technologies, ensuring that public sector innovation […]
The role of internal audit identifying early warning signs across the public sector
Their report, ‘Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies’ calls for public sector bodies to put in place the processes needed to recognise these early warning signs and to facilitate a culture where speaking up about concerns and learning from mistakes are seen as a personal duty and valued by everyone in the organisation. The […]
DBS launches new ‘Save and Return’ feature for its Barring Referral Service
The DBS Barring Referral Service is the online route that individuals or organisations who want to make a barring referral can use to submit their referral. To improve this service, DBS is launching a new ‘Save and Return’ feature enabling users to save their progress when making referrals and return to complete them at a […]
Reappointment of a member to the Family Procedure Rule Committee
The Lord Chancellor reappointed Robert Edwards as a member, nominated by Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of Welsh family proceedings officers, to the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) from 1 October 2024 until 28 February 2027. The Lord Chancellor also confirmed the decision of previous ministers to extend Mr Edward’s tenure from 1 March […]
E-seminar: Examples of sampling approaches employed by the FSA
This e-seminar will introduce the viewer to the subject of sampling approaches for food analysis, focusing on those used by the UK Food Standards Agency. Food sampling involves taking a sub-sample from a larger consignment to gain insight as to its composition. It performs an essential function in providing intelligence and evidence on the safety […]
UK Food Security Report 2024 published
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the UK Food Security Report 2024. This report sets out an analysis of statistical data relating to food security. This report examines past, current, and future trends relevant to food security, to present the best available understanding of food security at the time […]
Warning issued against unauthorised building work in Bassetlaw
Unauthorised works prompts warning to residents, landowners and developers Environmental permits may be needed before works can begin Offenders could face an unlimited fine or two years imprisonment The Environment Agency is reminding residents, landowners and developers in Bassetlaw about the law for carrying out work near main rivers and flood defences. Among the Environment […]