Date Published: 11 October 2007

UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) champions local authorities

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a new awards scheme for local authorities, to acknowledge the important role they play in improving local food safety and standards and in enhancing community diet and nutrition.

The ‘Food Champion’ scheme will ask local authorities across England and Wales to submit applications detailing the initiatives put in place. Joint applications from local authorities are also welcomed where schemes are being implemented by partnering authorities. Local authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland may join the awards scheme after the initial pilot year.

Local authorities can apply to be a Food Champion in one, or both of the award sections:

• improving local food safety and food standards
• improving community diet and nutrition

Ian Reynolds, Deputy Chair of the FSA said:

" Increasingly, local authorities are raising their standards of performance and going beyond their routine responsibilities to find new and inspiring ways to help people eat safer and healthier food.

This is why the Agency has developed the Food Champion Awards with our partners; the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Trading Standards Institute, the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services and the Improvement and Development Agency. "

The Food Champion award will be a prestigious achievement. Winning local authorities will have demonstrated good practice and a shown commitment to making the local community a better place to live. The awards will encourage sharing of good practice across local authorities and will enhance the reputation of winning authorities with residents and visitors alike. The Food Standards Agency will give feedback as part of the application process which can provide valuable information for future improvements.

Applications are invited from 15 October 2007, and will be accepted until 5pm on the 17 December 2007.

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