Policy Statements

Food Safety with Reference to HACCP Principles

IFST strongly objects to the EU Commission proposal to amend the EC Hygiene Regulation allowing certain food businesses with fewer than ten employees to be exempt from the requirement for food safety management procedures based on HACCP principles. Consumers must be afforded the same level of food safety protective measures, regardless of who is providing the food.

The Licensing of Food Establishments

IFST supports the licensing of all food establishments and is currently working in an alliance with the Consumers Association, the Local Authority Coordinating Organisations for Regulatory Standards (LACORS), and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) to press the Food Standards Agency to introduce prior approval of food establishments; a step towards conditional licensing.

Ethical and Professional Practices for the Sensory Analysis of Foods

The purpose of this statement is to ensure that the health of human subjects used for testing purposes is not compromised by their participation in testing programmes. As a practical and supportive tool for anyone undertaking a sensory test, the policy can also be applied to non-foods including fragrances and products for which skin absorption can occur.