BELFAST, September 17, 2025 – The Food Standards Agency Board met today in Belfast for its September 2025 session. The meeting kicked off at 9 in the morning, chaired by Professor Susan Jebb, with public access both in the room and online for those who had registered.
The agenda carried several key items that shape how food safety and supply is handled across the UK. Local Authority Performance was high on the list, giving a yearly look at how councils carry out checks, audits and enforcement in food businesses. These measures set the tone for how consistently rules are applied across the system, from fresh produce markets to supermarket supply chains.
Science was also on the table. The FSA presented its Annual Science Update, laying out research done over the year and how findings are feeding into food safety policy. For retailers, suppliers and manufacturers, these updates often point to where standards may tighten, or where new risks are being studied.
Another large piece of the agenda was the animal welfare report 2024/25. The report undergoes livestock management, slotterhouse check and enforcement activity. For supermarkets and processors, this data means, as the welfare rules directly connect to the safety and delivery of consumer chairs. The dealers carrying meat products must look carefully, as the compliance of non-transport from suppliers can quickly interfere with the categories.
A regional perspective came from the Director for FSA in Wales, who gave a report on performance there. The Welsh context has its own differences in policy and enforcement, and the Board session put a spotlight on those priorities. It shows how the FSA balances national oversight with local realities, which for suppliers means varied requirements depending on where they operate.
The meeting was structured as an open session. Members of the public who had registered were welcomed in Belfast, while many others followed live online. The FSA encouraged participation, making clear that transparency is part of the process.
Questions sent ahead by the public were also published on the agency’s site. These reflect the issues people want answers on, whether about food hygiene enforcement, science priorities, or welfare monitoring. For businesses, seeing what the public is asking can be a useful barometer of consumer pressure points.
Board documents and full agenda are available via the FSA website, providing more information for those who need to close each report carefully. Suppliers, retailers and industry partners often see these letters as the first sign in regulatory direction.
The FSA board meeting in September 2025 emphasizes the weight of regulation in the British food system. From welfare standards to scientific inspection, these discussions determine that they will filter retailers and suppliers over the next few months.
