Fraud squad allays meat industry's fears

The Food Standards Agency has reassured meat industry chiefs that its Food Fraud Task Force (FFTF) won't make life difficult for legitimate processors as it attempts to drive rogue traders out of business.

British Meat Processing Association (BMPA) director Maurice McCartney said he was satisfied that the FFTF was focusing attention where it was needed rather than causing problems for honest businesses.

McCartney's remarks followed the presentation of an interim report from task force chairman Dr Philip Barlow in which he also stressed the need for enforcement authorities involved in the control of meat and meat products to share their intelligence better.

The FFTF was set up last year to initially focus on the meat sector, but Barlow said the existing Illegal Meat Task Force should be retained as a specialist unit to investigate and advise food control agencies.

Eventually, the FFTF's remit would cover the rest of the food industry, such as alcoholic drinks, organic foods and Halal foods.

The task force has now finished its information gathering phase and is analysing the data before deciding what action is required to control and deter food fraud in future. Its final report is due in October.