Authenticity Methodology Working Group

The Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG) evaluates research developed within Defra鈥檚 Food Authenticity Research Programme, ensuring methods developed are robust and advising on the wider application of methods.

Role of the committee听

The AMWG is a non-statutory expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Its aims are to:听

  • provide a challenge function for the Food Authenticity Research Programme to ensure it is based on the latest science and evidence, and is relevant听
  • provide independent, authoritative, impartial, relevant and timely advice on research carried out under the Food Authenticity Research Programme or on authenticity issues brought to the group by the secretariat听听
  • contribute to developing an evidence base in food authenticity to support food labelling and standards policy, including the development of analytical methods to support regulatory food labelling and standards compliance听
  • support policy development by providing judgements on research quality and relevance, suggest priority areas for future work, and advise on knowledge transfer to support food law enforcement听
  • support the Defra Chief Scientific Advisor in developing advice as appropriate during emergencies听

Terms of reference 听

The terms of reference for the committee are to:鈥��

  • provide a challenge function to ensure the work of the Food Authenticity Research Programme is at all times based on sound science听
  • assess methods of analysis to be used to detect adulteration and mis-description of food, and comment on their applicability to specific issues and advise generally on the uncertainty and interpretation of results听
  • advise on the scoping of new work to ensure it is fit for purpose and where further development work is required to improve or validate existing methods for determining food authenticity听
  • promote information and technology transfer by encouraging enforcement authorities and industry to apply existing and new techniques, as appropriate听
  • consider food authenticity surveillance exercises performed by Defra and the Food Standards Agency, and advise on any future action needed听

惭别尘产别谤蝉丑颈辫听

Current members are:听听

  • Selvarani Elahi (Chair), Deputy Government Chemist
  • Adrian Charlton, Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)听
  • Alex Turtle, Food and Drink Federation (FDF)听
  • Alison Lord, British Retail Consortium (BRC)听
  • Bert Popping, Independent Consultant
  • Bhavna Parmar, Food Standards Agency (FSA)
  • Christophe Noel, SGS
  • Duncan Campbell, Public Analyst
  • Joanne Hubbard, Food Forensics
  • Kasia Kazimierczak, Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
  • Kate Kemsley, University of East Anglia听(UEA)
  • Malcolm Burns, LGC
  • Paul Fraser, Royal Holloway University听
  • Simon Kelly, Fera听

Technical Sub-Group

The AMWG has a Technical Sub-Group (TSG) whose remit is to consider and advise on authenticity-related technical issues in more detail when required. The TSG do not meet regularly, meetings are held as the need arises. AMWG can refer an issue to the TSG for consideration if they feel it requires further expert consideration, evidence, or discussion.

If additional technical expertise is deemed necessary for certain TSG discussions, then an appropriate expert(s) will be co-opted onto the group for the duration of those discussions.

Authenticity Steering Group

The Authenticity Steering Group (ASG) is a Defra-managed stakeholder group whose role is to advise the Agri-Food Science team on the strategic direction of the Food Authenticity Programme and to undertake horizon scanning.

Publications

Secretariat contact details听

Email: AMWGSecretariat@defra.gov.uk

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