Economic Evaluation of UK Policy on Chemical Contaminants in Food - ER02017

This document describes an evaluation of the UK's policy on managing chemical contaminants and naturally-occurring toxicants in food, focusing on the costs and benefits from 1993/94 to 1997/98. The policy aims to protect public health, ensure food industry compliance, and maintain consumer confidence. The evaluation used data from government expenditure, industry costs, consumer surveys, and surveillance program impacts. The government spent approximately £18 million on research and surveillance, with significant costs also incurred by the food industry and consumers. The policy's strengths include effective public health protection and monitoring, while weaknesses involve sampling regimes and consumer awareness. Results showed a reduction in contamination levels, with a 29% decrease for aflatoxins, and benefits such as increased consumer confidence. Surveys indicated public support for the policy, with 71% of respondents willing to pay for continued controls, averaging £0.73 per week per household, translating to a substantial net social benefit. However, resource allocation within the surveillance program did not always align with public health risks or consumer concerns. Research priorities were identified, including the need for more cost-effective detection methods and better coordination of surveillance efforts. Despite limitations in quantifying all costs and benefits, the evaluation found the policy to be beneficial overall, particularly for consumers. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Value for money evaluation; Process evaluation
• Process methods: Other
• Value for money methods: Cost-benefit analysis
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: 1997

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes