Food safety and hygiene offences

Food Safety Act 1990 offences

Every London borough council, district council or non-metropolitan county council is the 'food authority' for the purposes of enforcing the powers and duties under the Food Safety Act 1990 (FSA 1990). According to FSA 1990, s 34, an offence under FSA 1990, ss 7, 14 and 15 may only be prosecuted within three years of the commission of the offence or within one year after its discovery by the prosecutor, whichever is earlier.

Under FSA 1990, s 7 it is an offence to make food to be sold for human consumption which could cause injury to a person's health. This offence is an either-way offence and can be tried in the magistrates' court or Crown Court.

It is an offence under FSA 1990, s 14 to sell food which is not of the nature or substance or quality demanded. This is an either-way offence.

It is an offence under FSA 1990, s 15 to sell, offer or expose for sale food with a label which falsely describes the food or is likely to mislead the

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Corporate Crime News

Law Society welcomes government's new AI action plan for justice system

The Law Society of England and Wales has endorsed the UK government's new AI action plan for justice, which prioritises the responsible integration of AI technologies within the legal system. The Law Society's CEO, Ian Jeffery, stated that while the plan highlights AI's potential to enhance legal services, it also recognises the need to address associated risks. The Law Society’s AI strategy, based on innovation, impact, and integrity, aims to ensure technology is used ethically for the benefit of both the public and legal professionals. The Law Society reiterated its position from the 21st Century Justice project, advocating for modernising the justice system to improve accessibility. It proposed developing a free AI-powered tool, similar to the NHS 111 service, to help individuals understand and navigate common legal issues such as divorce, employment, housing and wills.

FCA rule change may put firms at risk of fraud prosecution

Law360, London: The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) proposed partial relaxation of the approval process under its senior managers regime as the UK pushes for deregulation could increase exposure among companies to fraud prosecution under another regulatory snag—the offence of failure to prevent fraud, which goes live in September 2025.

Home Office announces new offence for online promotion of illegal immigration

The Home Office has announced a new offence under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to criminalise the creation and publication of online content that promotes or facilitates illegal immigration, including small boat crossings, fake travel documents and illegal work opportunities. This move targets organised crime groups that use social media to advertise people-smuggling services, with offenders facing up to five years in prison and substantial fines. The law also covers individuals paid to post such content and aims to disrupt the business model of smugglers by enabling earlier intervention and stronger prosecution. The Home Office reports that 80% of migrants arriving via small boats used social media during their journey, highlighting the urgency of this measure.

NCA and Home Office launch ARIS research call for asset recovery effectiveness

The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Home Office have launched a call for research proposals to evaluate the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). The call invites UK Higher Education Institutions to apply for up to £90,000 in funding for a 15-month research project (January 2026–March 2027) focused on asset recovery and its impact on organised crime groups (OCGs). An accompanying FAQs document clarifies that the initiative seeks innovative, evidence-based research exploring asset recovery’s deterrent effect and related criminal behaviour. Proposals will be evaluated on methodology, relevance, feasibility and budget alignment, with outputs expected to include reports, policy briefs and academic publications. Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2025.

View Corporate Crime by content type :

News