Explanatory Notes

Food Standards Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 28

11 November 1999

Commentary on Sections

Section 36: Interpretation

138.This contains definitions of terms used in the Act.

139.Subsection (3) provides a gloss to the phrase ‘interests of consumers of food’. The definition makes clear that matters such as labelling are included within the scope of this term. The saving in brackets ‘without prejudice to the generality of that expression’ makes clear that the term is not limited solely to the matters mentioned in the definition.

140.Powers of entry in the Act are related to ‘premises’. Subsection (5) provides that if the definition of ‘premises’ in the Food Safety Act 1990 is extended by an Order under section 1(3) or the corresponding Northern Ireland provision of that Act to include ships and aircraft of a specified description, this extended definition may also be applied to functions under this Act.

141.It is important to read this Act in conjunction with the Food Safety Act 1990 since that Act defines many important concepts, including ‘food’ itself.