Public Analyst
- Regulators
-
- Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Food Standards Agency
- Nations
-
- England
- Sectors
-
- Science
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Food Standards Agency
- Address
-
Floors 6 and 7
Clive House
70 Petty France
London
SW1H 9EX - Email address
- helpline@food.gov.uk
- Website
- https://www.food.gov.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)330 332 7149
Additional regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Address
-
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU - Phone number
- +44 (0)300 790 4007
Regulation
Regulation summary
Under the Food Safety Act (1990) section 30 and the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2013, the FSA and DHSC Secretary of State regulates Public Analysts for England.
The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2013 requires a Public Analyst to examine food as part of official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
Public Analysts will examine food as part of official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law. Public Analysts will also provide advice to sampling officers on:
• sampling policy and the sampling programme
• transport
• quality
• test selection
• interpretation of results
Public Analysts will also support Sampling Officers on the preparation of materials for prosecutions.
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/16/contents
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
To become a qualified Public Analyst, you must:
(1) Possesses a Mastership in Chemical Analysis awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry. - More about qualification
- https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/professions-regulated-by-the-fsa
Professionals from other UK nations
- Routes to recognition within the UK
-
The required qualifications are the same in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The FSA and DHSC Secretary of State regulates Public Analysts (PAs) for Wales, the FSA and Department of Health (Northern Ireland) regulates PAs in Northern Ireland, and Food Standard Scotland regulates the PA profession in Scotland.
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- None - all professionals must re-qualify
- Summary of routes
-
To become qualified to practice as an Public Analyst in the UK, you must:
(1) possess a Mastership in Chemical Analysis
(2) have carried out examination of food in a Public Analyst’s laboratory in the UK, or other laboratory concerned with relevant food.If you do not possess these qualifications, you may not practice as an Public Analyst.
Registration
- Registration requirements
-
Once the required qualifications have been achieved, you must be nominated by a local authority before you may practice as a Public Analyst. There is no further requirement or license needed to lawfully practise as a Public Analyst.
As a Public Analyst you will be expected to record and maintain your continuous professional development (CPD).
- More about registration
- https://www.food.gov.uk/our-work/professions-regulated-by-the-fsa
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Food Safety Act 1990
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/16/contents
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2013
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/264/contents/made