General Food Safety: Powers to Inspect, Detain and Seize Food

Section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990 and regulation 29 of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 set out the powers of an authorised officer to inspect, detain and seize suspected food. The powers to inspect and seize suspect food contained in section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990 continued largely unaffected by Regulation (EC) 178/2002 although these now relate to the food safety requirements set out in Article 14. The Food Standards Agency’s Food Law Practice Guidance sets out the circumstances where the use of powers under section 9 to detain and seize food are considered appropriate, procedures for the serving and withdrawal of notices, voluntary surrender and the destruction or disposal of food.