What is food crime?

Food crime has been defined by the Food Standards Agency as serious fraud and related criminality in food supply chains. It also includes activity impacting on drink and animal feed. 

As food crime can be seriously harmful to consumers, food businesses and the food industry, the Food Standards Agency has launched a new tool to help businesses assess their risks. 

The Food Fraud Resilience Self-Assessment Tool guides both business owners and employees through a range of questions, designed to help them identify any risks to their business. It will then provide steps which can be taken to mitigate food crime. 

Darren Davies, Head of the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit commented: 'Vulnerability can exist at any place along the route from farm through to fork so I would encourage businesses of all size across the industry to make use of this free tool.' With the covid-19 restrictions beginning to ease, and restaurants being allowed to open to customers for indoor dining, there is no better time to identify any potential risks and stay vigilant.