Government Chemist
Background
In June 2018, the FSA Board agreed to expandNFCUactivities from a strategic and tactical intelligence capability to a comprehensive response to criminal threats and vulnerabilities , including investigative capabilities.
In December 2021, the FSA Board endorsed a full organisational review of the expanded activity.
The terms of reference for the Review were:
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To assess the delivery by theNFCUof the Key Performance Questions as laid out in the FSA Board paper of June 2018
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To assess delivery of the expanded functions of the Unit as set out in the aforementioned FSA Board paper
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To assess progress against the recommendations of the Savill Review, presented to the FSA Board in December 2020
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To consider the most suitable governance arrangement for theNFCUwhich will assist the fight against food crime and food fraud, as well as its contribution to the wider aims of the FSA around food safety and authenticity.
The Review
The Deputy Government Chemist, Selvarani Elahi MBE (Also the Executive Director of the Food Authenticity Network), was part of the three person Review team with Adam Irwin and Keith Bristow QPM , who led the review from June to October 2022.
The Review collected evidence and insight from 28 focus groups, 40 external stakeholders, via an online survey that was sent to over 1000 food industry employees and all local authorities, from the review of a large tranche of related documents and extensive engagement with over 80 members of FSA staff, including NFCU officers.
The Review reported 22 findings and made 5 recommendations, under the headings of Redefine Purpose, Build Capability, Enhance Impact, Nurture Culture and Project Message. These recommendations relate to:
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Clearer definition of the Units purpose, with performance indicators aligned to its strategy.
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Using this enhanced clarity to assess as-is capability, and then design and build the required to-be position.
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Ensuring access to the latest tradecraft and capability within law enforcement to enhance capabilities.
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Nurturing of internal culture and improvements to internal career pathways.
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Better projection of the Unit, its food crime messaging and its successes.
A paper of the NFCU Review was received by the FSA Business Committee at a meeting on 7 December 2022.
Keith Bristow said
The Review Team were delighted to undertake the review. We were pleased to report that theNFCUhas done remarkably well in establishing a dedicated intelligence and crime reduction capability for the FSA, which many stakeholders see as world-leading. Through implementation of the review recommendations, we are confident that the NFCU can build on whats already been achieved and deliver even more impact on the threat and thereby protect consumers and the food industry from food crime.
Julian Braybrook, Government Chemist said:
Food crime is a global phenomenon and the increasing complexity of food supply chains provide opportunities for criminals and present challenges for regulators and law enforcement organisations. NFCU has an important role to play in the safeguarding of consumers and legitimate businesses from the effects of food crime. The Government Chemist is happy to have contributed to its review, which will help it fully achieve thi