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An external and independent panel of experts has been asked to undertake a strategic review of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) nutrition research and survey portfolio and to make recommendations to the FSA about the future content and the balance between different areas of research to ensure that the portfolio continues to meet the policy needs of the FSA.
Lynda Harrop
Nutrition Division, Branch C
Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Room 6B, Aviation House
125 Kingsway, London
WC2B 6NH
Tel:
0207 276 8928
Fax:
0207 276 8193
E-mail:
lynda.harrop@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Responses are requested by: 11 May 2009
For the purpose of this review we are focusing on the FSA’s nutrition research and surveys and are not considering other research, which feed into nutrition policy, such as allergy and toxicological research (details of these are provided at annexe G). Evaluative research is being considered as part of the FSA’s Strategic Plan review and some examples that fall outside the nutrition research programmes are provided in annexe G for consideration as part of the nutrition research review.
The panel met on 5 December 2008 for an initial meeting and will meet again on 11 and 12 June 2009 to discuss and agree recommendations that will be presented to the FSA. Your views are being sought to help inform the review process.
Panel aims and terms of reference
The panel has been asked to horizon scan the Agency’s future nutrition research needs, taking into account UK public health drivers, the role and remit of other funders and possible collaborations, current funding levels, value for money and the views of key stakeholders. The panel has not been asked to review retrospectively or to focus on individual projects or programmes.
The panel has been asked to consider the structure and composition of the current research nutrition research portfolio in relation to the on-going policy needs of the FSA as a means of informing the following tasks:
Introduction
Purpose of FSA nutrition research
Diet related chronic disease is a major public health concern for the UK with, for example, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) being the major causes of premature death. These diseases are also co-morbidities associated with type II diabetes and obesity, which are both of increasing concern in the UK. The costs of diet related chronic diseases to the NHS and more broadly to society are considerable. Poor diet is estimated to account for about one third of all deaths from cancer and CVD. For these reasons, UK Health Departments have set strategic objectives/targets around improving diet and these have fed into the FSA’s Strategic Plan 2005-2010 (see link below).
The purpose of the FSA is to protect consumers by improving the safety of food and pursuing policies, which make it easier for consumers to make healthier food choices, thus improving dietary well-being and reducing diet related chronic disease. The Eating for Health strategic targets are as follows:
The FSA’s approach to delivering these dietary health objectives is to seek to influence people (by promoting consumer advice, supporting improvement in food preparation and cooking skills, developing public awareness campaigns), encouraging businesses to offer healthier products (reformulation in relation to salt, saturated fat and energy balance) and working towards an environment, which facilitates healthier choices (accurate nutrition and health claims and improved nutrition labelling).
The FSA uses an evidence based approach to meet this remit and also to horizon scan future areas. The evidence which underpins this work includes pure and applied research in the nutritional and social sciences; development of independent expert scientific advice, surveys and evaluation. Expert advice is obtained from the SACN, whose members include experts recruited from amongst the UK’s leading nutritionists and epidemiologists. Scientific research is synthesised to produce new, and refine existing, dietary recommendations. Surveys monitor the nutritional well-being of the population and progress towards targets. Research is also used to inform how to best influence people’s behaviour in order to help deliver dietary improvements to the nation and to monitor the nutritional wellbeing of the population and progress towards targets.
The FSA applies strict criteria to the pure and applied research it funds in human nutritional and social sciences. Priority is given to food based or nutrient studies in dose ranges achievable through diet and to randomised controlled trials. Animal or in vitro (test tube) studies are not usually considered for funding, and nor are studies where the primary purpose is to understand mechanisms or to develop novel or niche market foods as their potential public health impact is likely to be limited. These areas of research are within the remit of other funders.
Current shape of nutrition research portfolio
The FSA funds seven nutrition research programmes with an approximate annual spend of over £6.5 million. The Agency's Nutrition Division is responsible for commissioning and managing three strands of nutrition research. All the programmes (details of which can be found at annexe D - see link below) are independently reviewed and quality-controlled on a rolling basis. They aim to provide robust evidence to:
Additional research, which is relevant but not included in this review, includes allergy and toxicological research (details of these can be found at annexe G - see link below). The FSA’s review of its Strategic Plan will consider the impact of the FSA’s evaluative research and this should be considered as part of this review.
Background to FSA research programmes
From its inception, the FSA has needed to ensure that its research and surveys are focused on meeting current policy aims and objectives, and that the money available is spent efficiently and wisely. In 2000, John Arbuthnott oversaw a review of the FSA’s research portfolio and research management systems, which resulted in clear guidance and recommendations to FSA staff regarding all aspects of the research commissioning process.
Nutrition is a theme that, as stated in the Arbuthnott review, is prioritised at Board level and managed at Director level. It is the responsibility of the Head of Nutrition Division to decide on the range of programmes within that theme, and alternative methods of disseminating available funding to achieve the goal of informing and underpinning policy initiatives.
The aim of the current nutrition research theme since the inception of the Agency has been: ‘to carry out research on major food constituents and their role in the health of the population and use the outcomes to formulate strategies for promoting beneficial changes in the nation’s diet. To form the basis for the Agency’s general advice to consumers on what constitutes a healthy balanced diet’.
In 2000, some nutrition research programmes were inherited from the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries (MAFF) and underwent or have since undergone review and alteration. Some programmes have been wound down and other programmes have since been created, for example the N12 programme on diet and colonic health.
Links with the FSA’s wider science and evidence strategy
Throughout 2009, the Agency will be developing its new Science and Evidence Strategy 2010-2015, alongside the development of its new Strategic Plan for 2010-2015. The Science and Evidence Strategy will set out the science, evidence and analysis it will need to underpin and support delivery of its proposed new strategy, and to inform development of its future strategy beyond this. It will also describe how the FSA will obtain and use the science and evidence the Agency needs. The responses received in response to this consultation and the outcomes of the Nutrition Research Review will help to inform the development of the Science and Evidence Strategy 2010-2015.
Consultation process
An internal workshop was held within the Agency in May 2008. The first meeting of the external panel was held in December 2008. The second panel meeting will be held in June 2009, where recommendations on the FSA nutrition research will be discussed and agreed. The consultation responses will be taken into account as part of this process.
Questions asked in this consultation:
Views on future of Agency nutrition research:
Additional consultation questions – if you are a funder of research:
The Agency is very interested in maximising the potential of developing funding partnerships with other organisations in areas where there is mutual benefit. In order to obtain a more comprehensive view of other funders activities and the possibilities for future partnership working, if you are a funder of research, we would be grateful if you could respond to the following additional questions:
Responses
Responses are required by close 11 May 2009 . Please state, in your response, whether you are responding as a private individual or on behalf of an organisation/company (including details of any stakeholders your organisation represents).
Endnotes
1
Key aims are set out in the FSA Strategic Plan 2005-2010 (see link below) on food safety, healthy eating and choice.
2
Level of organisation – programme, sub programme or individual project, depending on the volume of activity you support and the way your portfolio is organised. If, as well as research projects/programmes, you support facilities/resources that you consider relevant, it would also be helpful to hear about these.
This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the (External) HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation , which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.
We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.
Download word Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)
Download pdf Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)
In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. The FSA will publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name. Disclosure of any other personal data would be made only upon request for the full consultation responses. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.
Download word Data protection form (Word)
Download pdf Data protection form (pdf)
Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.
If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator by email: consultationcoordinator@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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