Concerns earlier this month that the Food Standards Agency might be disbanded proved unwarranted.

It was rumoured that the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition was planning to close the FSA and transfer its responsibilities for public health  to the Department of Health (DoH) and its food safety responsibilities  to the Department for Food, Rural Affairs and the Environment (Defra).

Although the responsibility for nutrition policy has been transferred to the DoH and some aspects of food labelling policy have gone to Defra, the FSA is to remain and will be responsible for all aspects of food safety, including food allergy and intolerance.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign is delighted with the decision as we have had a close and fruitful relationship with the FSA since it was set up in 1999.