Improving the health of society

customers are not defrauded and that harm and economic loss are not suffered. Working with the Food Standards Agency, shared intelligence of sample numbers and inspections of unsatisfactory labelling indicates the scale of a problem and whether a problem exists. Using this data, trading standards are able to carry out risk-based inspections and provide guidance to business, making a direct contribution to the protection of consumers.11 Consumers must be protected against food fraud and misleading practices. Trading standards’ work in improving food industry standards is significant and involves partnerships with Primary Care Trusts and other stakeholders, particularly on areas of social deprivation and Food Standards Agency targets. This includes work on reducing salt and fat content in food, from restaurants to wholesale production. As well as protecting the health

of the citizen, trading standards are also key players in the welfare of animals.

The National Performance Indicator NI190 is geared to more effectively control the management of funding to ensure current animal health service levels are maintained. Adequately resourced trading

standards will ensure that resources reach the frontline animal health services, necessary to support effective control of future disease outbreaks. A decrease in these services would severely impact on vulnerable rural businesses and communities.

In a pilot project, Trading Standards in the South West in partnership with Environmental Health are aiming to save small sandwich businesses money while at the same time encouraging healthier products and options. In Gloucestershire, trading standards are taking an innovative approach with the “Count Me In” healthy towns project. This combines greater savings and higher sales for small high street food businesses with healthier eating. Trading standards, respected by business and having local knowledge, was seen as unrivalled in getting this project off the ground.

11 Local Better Regulation Office, Impacts and Outcomes of Local Authority Regulatory Services Report, 2009.

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