Devon's Food and Animal Feedstuffs Sampling Policy and Sampling Programme

The general principle we follow in setting out our sampling programme for the year is to follow the guidelines set out in the LACORS (Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services) 'Home Authority' principle. In essence, this means our Service taking responsibility for products and services emanating from Devon therefore avoiding duplication and ensuring to the best of our ability that they comply with all the legislative requirements.

Food and animal feedstuffs samples are taken for analysis for the public benefit to ensure that they -

• are compositionally and nutritionally correct
• are neither contaminated or adulterated
• do not present risk to human and animal health
• are labelled correctly
• and do not mislead purchasers.
  

Sampling is one of the tools we use to protect consumers, provide help and assistance to business and develop an overview of food and feedingstuff manufacturing trends in Devon and nationally.

The majority of samples are taken from producers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers of food and animal feedstuffs in our County for sale and distribution within and outside Devon.

Samples for analysis are selected from finished products, or sometimes from ingredients depending on their relevance and potential impact on the final product. They are also obtained during product audits for a variety of reasons including verification of ingredient specification and incorporation levels.

For animal feedstuffs our current policy is to sample a greater proportion of the raw materials used for, or as an ingredient in, animal feeds. This is to ensure they are free of harmful contaminants, such as lead, in view of their potential impact on the food chain. We also have such samples analysed to see that they meet their declared analysis parameters, for example determining their protein and oil levels which have an impact on the final animal feed in which they are used.

We also take samples of foods or feedstuffs following a complaint and for appropriate national, regional and locally co-ordinated programmes. In the event of a food emergency, resources may have to be reallocated to manage the incident.

Each year we set aside a proportion of our sampling budget for sampling projects, which are intelligence driven and drawn up following consultation with our Public Analysts and community representatives with an interest in food and agriculture.

Each of the three geographically based Food Standards Teams draw up a specific sampling programme to facilitate local needs, seasonal influences and best value in terms of batch sizes. The cost of the programme is incorporated in the Services annual budgetary process.

Samples are taken both formally and informally.

Currently we have two appointed Public Analyst Laboratories and associated ‘Service Level Agreements’ for food samples. We have one appointed Public Analyst for the purposes of the Agricultural Act. The sampling project remits are sent out for tender and contracts are awarded dependent on cost, best value, and quality.