Morning, Friday, 19th March 2027
Online
This conference will focus on next steps for food regulation and standards in the UK.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to examine the practical implications of key developments. Discussion takes place in the context of the Food Standards Agency’s Future of Food Regulation programme, following the FSA Board’s September decision to support further development of proposals to strengthen local authority delivery and national oversight of the largest food businesses in England. Developed proposals are due to return to the Board in March 2027, ahead of a planned public consultation planned for next summer.
The planned agenda will also consider ongoing moves towards a more data-driven approach to regulatory oversight, and the proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, including the potential implications of dynamic alignment with EU food law.
Future of Food Regulation - national oversight & local delivery
Delegates will consider what is needed from regulatory frameworks to effectively secure compliance, manage risk, and maintain confidence across the food system. Planned sessions will also focus on the coordination between national oversight and local authority delivery, and the steps needed to support transparency and accountability in enforcement.
Data-led regulation & assurance
Attendees will consider requirements for developing and implementing a more digital and data-enabled regulatory model. Areas for discussion include the collection, verification, and use of information, and the role of business-generated data in decision-making, including how supply chain information could be used to identify and manage systemic risks.
Further discussion is expected on the future role of Primary Authority assured advice, third-party assurance, and earned recognition approaches, and how far they can enhance compliance, reduce duplication, and target regulatory resources effectively.
Emerging risks & new business models
Emerging food safety risks will also be a focus. Delegates will consider priorities for assessing and managing risks from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food, including testing, monitoring, and analytical capability. The regulatory implications of innovation, new business models, and delivery-only operations will also be examined.
UK-EU SPS Agreement & dynamic alignment
Sessions will also assess implications of the proposed SPS Agreement for businesses and regulators, including transition arrangements, the management of regulatory change, and maintaining competitiveness under potential dynamic alignment with EU food law.
Overview of areas for discussion
- Future of Food Regulation programme:
- next steps for reform - implications for food business registration, inspection, food hygiene rating display, enforcement and regulatory oversight
- national oversight of the largest food businesses - development of proposals for Direct Assurance and for the FSA to act as Competent Authority - starting with large retailers in England - requirements for future implementation
- local authority delivery - capacity, workforce and sustainable resourcing
- data-led & digital regulation:
- compliance and monitoring systems - collection, verification and use of business-generated and supply chain data - identifying systemic risks
- data quality, interoperability, standardisation and information sharing - practical requirements for data-enabled regulation
- AI, predictive analysis and automated compliance tools - potential uses and limitations
- regulatory governance, assurance & enforcement:
- roles and responsibilities across national and local oversight - accountability and transparency in digital systems and regulatory data use
- risk assessment, inspection targeting and enforcement priorities - maintaining independent scrutiny and confidence in regulatory assurance
- Primary Authority assured advice, third-party assurance and earned recognition - scope to support compliance and reduce duplication - consistency and independent verification
- new business models:
- delivery-only and platform-based businesses - dark kitchens and multi-brand delivery operations - online platforms and unregistered sellers
- registration and visibility of businesses - traceability, business accountability and consumer protection - adapting inspection and enforcement approaches
- PFAS risk management:
- testing and monitoring food, food packaging and water - analytical capability for risk assessment - dietary exposure pathways and evidence gaps
- existing EU maximum levels for PFAS in certain foods - potential implications for GB requirements under dynamic alignment
- coordination between regulators and industry - communication to support transparency and public confidence
- UK-EU SPS Agreement & dynamic alignment:
- implications for compliance, market access, trade and cross-border supply chains - impact on GB-only businesses as well as exporters - managing transition and regulatory change
