The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published the updated Food Law Codes of Practice (Codes) and Practice Guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

This marks the latest phase of the FSA’s modernisation of food regulation, following a 12- week consultation which was held in 2025 and engagement with local councils (local authorities and port health authorities in England and Wales and district councils in Northern Ireland) and other key stakeholders. A summary of responses to the consultation for England, Wales and Northern Ireland were published in August.

The changes are designed to help local councils target resources to where they make the most difference to public health outcomes.

Key updates include: 

• A more flexible, risk-based approach to prioritising initial official controls of new food businesses, allowing the flexibility for local councils to triage businesses when they first register
• Greater use of alternative control methods, including, in some cases, remote assessments allowing local councils more choice to support more efficient use of resource
• Broadening the cohort of professionals who can undertake certain activities to support delivery of official controls in England and Wales to ensure that officer’s expertise is dedicated to where it can have the most impact
• The introduction of the new Food Standards Delivery Model in Wales. This updates how local councils regulate food standards within food establishments in Wales. This was implemented in England and Northern Ireland in 2023.

The FSA has also launched a revised competency standard which may be used to ensure that officers undertaking food safety checks are appropriately trained and competent. The standard, read in conjunction with the Food and Feed Law Codes of Practice, helps local councils assess the competency of their staff for the activities they undertake in their roles and is used as part of their ongoing professional development plan.

Next Steps

The updated Codes of Practice, Practice Guidance and Competency Standard are available to view on the FSA website.  Separate versions are published and tailored to the legal and operational context in each nation.