CINDY WAXA

How this would be done would be up to the government to decide, but it should be more than an advisory body. FairPlay recommends an organisation with teeth – the ability to investigate lapses and recommend the prosecution of companies and individuals and the closure of food establishments. These powers would concentrate the minds of all those involved in the import, manufacture, processing and handling of food in this country.

The body should be independent but include representatives of both the public sector and private sector - scientists, food safety experts, food industry representatives and senior officials from the various government departments responsible for good safety, including the customs department. In addition, it would be useful to have civil society consumer and food safety bodies serving on the agency’s board.