Jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal to hear challenges to food law decisions

The First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) is the designated tribunal for hearing appeals against food labelling and food improvement notices issued by:

1. •

   the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

2. •

   the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

3. •

   the Local authority Trading Standards Departments

Note that only challenges to certain food related regulator decisions are heard by the First-tier Tribunal. Other challenges must be brought by way of appeal in the magistrates' courts. The requisite legal provisions dictate whether an appeal should be made to the First-tier tribunal or to the magistrates’ court.

The Tribunal deals with appeals against the following decisions of these regulators:

1. •

   decisions under the Fish Labelling Regulations 2013, SI 2013/1768

2. •

   decisions under the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (England) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/2775

3. •

   decisions under the Food Information Regulations 2014, SI 2014/1855

4. •

   decisions under the Products Containing Meat etc. (England) Regulations 2014, SI 2014/3001

Note that the Tribunal does not deal