Commentary on Sections Section 14: Review of operation of Act
This section requires the Food Standards Agency to carry out a review of the operation of the Act within three years of its commencement. The review in particular must consider whether the appeal process is operating satisfactorily; whether there should be a limit on the number of re-ratings that can be requested; whether time periods specified in the Act are adequate and whether the fixed penalty procedure is operating satisfactorily. The Food Standards Agency can carry out subsequent reviews as and when it considers appropriate.
On conclusion of the review the Food Standards Agency must prepare and send a report, containing any recommendations for improvements to the operation of the Act, to the Department. The Department must publish the report and a response to it indicating whether or not, along with reasons, it intends to exercise certain order making powers to make amendments to the Act.
District councils must also keep the operation of the Act in its area under review and provide the Food Standards Agency with information as requested to inform the review.
It also requires the Food Standards Agency to promote the scheme provided for by the Act.