Food imported into the UK is regulated under UK legislation. The responsibility for regulating imports lies with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The Port Health Authority is responsible for enforcing the rules; the controls can be broadly split into those carried out on Products of Animal Origin (POAO) and Food Not of Animal Origin (FNAO).
Products that are known to represent a particular risk may be subject to special controls, have import conditions set, or be banned from import. Public health controls are also applied to ensure that the products intended for food are produced in conditions that satisfy hygiene standards.
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