Bogus letter warning

- Published: 23 December, 2008

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that fraudsters are targeting food business operators with letters demanding payment for supposed breaches of food safety regulations.

The letters, which claim to be from the FSA, ask for immediate payment of large penalty charges. One such letter demanded £1,000 from a business, claiming that it was selling food "unfit for human consumption."

The Agency has warned that butchers and other food businesses that receive any such letter should report it to their local police immediately.

"The Agency is not the national enforcement authority for food law and would not be sending any such letters demanding payment. Any breaches of food hygiene regulations would be dealt with by local authorities," said an FSA spokesperson.

To see a copy of one of the letters sent follow the link below:

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/dec/letters