Authenticity Methodology Working Group

The Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG) evaluates research developed within Defra’s Food Authenticity Research Programme, ensuring methods developed are robust and advising on the wider application of methods.

Role of the committee 

The AMWG is a non-statutory expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Its aims are to: 

  • provide a challenge function for the Food Authenticity Research Programme to ensure it is based on the latest science and evidence, and is relevant 
  • provide independent, authoritative, impartial, relevant and timely advice on research carried out under the Food Authenticity Research Programme or on authenticity issues brought to the group by the secretariat  
  • contribute to developing an evidence base in food authenticity to support food labelling and standards policy, including the development of analytical methods to support regulatory food labelling and standards compliance 
  • support policy development by providing judgements on research quality and relevance, suggest priority areas for future work, and advise on knowledge transfer to support food law enforcement 
  • support the Defra Chief Scientific Advisor in developing advice as appropriate during emergencies 

Terms of reference  

The terms of reference for the committee are to:   

  • provide a challenge function to ensure the work of the Food Authenticity Research Programme is at all times based on sound science 
  • assess methods of analysis to be used to detect adulteration and mis-description of food, and comment on their applicability to specific issues and advise generally on the uncertainty and interpretation of results 
  • advise on the scoping of new work to ensure it is fit for purpose and where further development work is required to improve or validate existing methods for determining food authenticity 
  • promote information and technology transfer by encouraging enforcement authorities and industry to apply existing and new techniques, as appropriate 
  • consider food authenticity surveillance exercises performed by Defra and the Food Standards Agency, and advise on any future action needed 

Membership 

Current members are:  

  • Selvarani Elahi (Chair), LGC Group 
  • Adrian Charlton, Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) 
  • Alex Turtle, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) 
  • Alison Lord, British Retail Consortium (BRC) 
  • Kasia Kazimierczak, Food Standards Scotland  
  • Kate Kemsley, University of East Anglia 
  • Malcolm Burns, LGC Group 
  • Nigel Payne, Public Analyst 
  • Paul Fraser, Royal Holloway University 
  • Simon Kelly, Oritain 

Secretariat contact details 

Email: AMWGSecretariat@defra.gov.uk

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