Cablegate: Uk Reaction: Fda Reportable Food Registry

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #2516 3101323
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 061323Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3931

UNCLAS LONDON 002516

SIPDIS

STATE PASS EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP FOR ANN RYAN
STATE PASS FDA FOR VASHTI KLEIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD UK
SUBJECT: UK REACTION: FDA REPORTABLE FOOD REGISTRY

REF: STATE 108138

1. (U) Post delivered reftel demarch to the UK's Food Standards Agency Head of Incidence Response.

2. (U) Since January 2005, the UK has had an internal mechanism for reporting potential food safety breaches that is very similar to the Reportable Food Registry (RFR). It is known as its Online Incident Report Form, and can be accessed at: http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/incidents /report

3. (U) In reviewing the RFR, the UK offered a word of caution on it being potenially open to the filing of malicious reports by disgruntled employees or competitors, as is also the case with their online form. Shortly after launch, the UK modified their Incident Report procedures so that there was a verification step built into the action cascade. Now upon receipt of an Incident Report, a member of staff calls the company involved to check if it is a real report.

4. (U) The UK is willing to share its experience in this area with the U.S., if FDA would find this helpful. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Susman

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