Elizabeth McNulty
Head of Incidents Branch
Food Standards Agency


How the RASFF System is Implemented in the
UK
Explanation of Internal Procedures
The role of the FSA:

To ensure that consumers’ interests with
regard to food safety and standards are
protected.

First contact point for reported incidents
24/7 response capability

Team leader: Designated UK national RASFF
contact point

Team Members: Authorised RASFF contact
points

Authorisation of RASFF notification
submitted through TRACES relating to POAO

To investigate all reported incidents and
ensure appropriate action is taken.

Maintains official audit trail using dedicated
Incidents Database.

Custodians of incident procedures -Incident
Response Protocol, Incident Reviews

Training & Exercises

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All RASFF information comes directly to the
NCP/CPs in the Incident Response Branch
The exception; Border Rejection
Notifications -sent directly to authorised
BIP contacts.
All information flow is controlled by the
NCP/CPS
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Divided into Counties
Further divided into
Local Authorities.
465 Local Authorities
in UK
Responsible for
enforcing food law.


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NCP/CPs contact enforcement authority
responsible for FBO named in RASFF
NCP/CPs forwards all the relevant information
from the RASFF notification
NPC/CPc requests specific information/actions
from the enforcement authorities

Enforcement officers pass requested
information back to NCP/CPs

NCP/CPs complete RASFF template

Draft passed to Policy lead for check

Draft cleared by NCP/CPs and sent to EC


BIPs routinely sample incoming food/feed
consignments originating from outside EU to
ensure compliance with legislation
Adverse results are notified to Incidents
Branch via draft RASFF notification

Draft passed to Policy Lead

Draft cleared by NCP/CPs and sent to EC
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/ne
wsarchive/2011/may/report
Thank you for your attention
Liz McNulty
Head of Incident Response
Food Standards Agency
liz.mcnulty@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk