Something’S off - Corruption riSkS related to food Safety and itS

Food safety measures represent an intrinsic part of the sanitary and phytosanitary measures of a country.13 This introductory paper provides an overview and analysis of corruption risks related to the design, adoption, implementation and enforcement of food safety measures and food control systems, and the potential impact on public health if these measures and systems fail. [...] For example, in the wake of the 2013 European horsemeat scandal (see Box 2 below), it was found that in the United Kingdom responsibility for food safety resided with the Food Standards Agency, but oversight of nutritional standards was the remit of the Department of Health, while oversight of food labelling and veterinary medicines was the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural A. [...] 26 box 2 chapter 2: corruption risks relAted to food sAfety And food control 22 the need to Address corruption Risks Related to Food safety and Food control Corruption threatens the ability of governments to establish and implement the food safety measures and food control systems necessary for safeguarding public health. [...] 27 something’s off – corruption risks relAted to food sAfety And its public heAlth threAts The benefits of addressing corruption risks related to food safety and food control include: 221 Protecting Public health National implementation of food safety measures and control systems in line with international standards is vital for the maintenance of public health and the promotion of health as a hum. [...] Implementing anti-corruption measures can also help ensure that public resources allocated to the adoption and implementation of food safety standards are not wasted, improving the efficiency and accountability of the organizations involved in the production of food items and further improving public trust in the food industry and the government’s ability to manage it effectively.