The Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991

Defences, etc. N.I.

Offences due to fault of another person N.I.

F1 19.  Where the commission by any person of an offence under any of the preceding provisions of this Part is due to an act or default of some other person, that other person shall be guilty of the offence; and a person may be charged with and convicted of the offence by virtue of this Article whether or not proceedings are taken against the first‐mentioned person.

F1 mod. by SR 2005/284

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(a);

Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2006) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/256), reg. 5(1)(b);

Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (18.10.2006) by Curd Cheese (Restrictions on Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/415), reg. 4(a);

Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (9.11.2006) by Rice Products (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/443), reg. 5(a)

C2 mod. by SR 2004/487

C3 Art. 19 applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(c)

C4 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/65), reg. 10(c)

C5 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/66), reg. 5(1)(b)

C6 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/110), reg. 10(c)

C7 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (7.8.2007) by Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/301), reg. 5(c)

C8 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2007) by Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/349), reg. 6(c)

C9 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (3.8.2007) by Food (Suspension of the Use of E 128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/352), reg. 5(a)

C10 Art. 19 applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(c) (with reg. 3)

C11 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (11.1.2008) by Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/506), reg. 29(b)

C12 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (12.3.2008) by Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/99), reg. 5(a)

C13 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (14.4.2008) by Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/98), reg. 20

C14 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (15.4.2008) by Specified Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/171), reg. 6(a)

C15 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Drinking Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/237), reg. 7(d)

C16 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) and the Milk and Milk Products (Protection of Designations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/239), regs. 3, 7(d)

C17 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (22.12.2008) by Eggs and Chicks (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/451), reg. 20

C18 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/220), reg. 5(1)(b)

C19 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (31.7.2009) by Food Irradiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/258), reg. 11(1)(d)

C20 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2010) by Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/398), reg. 4(b)

C21 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/415), reg. 5(1)(a)

C22 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(1)(b)

C23 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/417), reg. 5(1)(b)

C24 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/54), reg. 10(b)

C25 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (28.4.2010) by Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/125), reg. 29

C26 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.10.2010) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/335), reg. 5(1)(b)

C27 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(1)(a)

C28 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2011) by Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/236), reg. 11(1)(a)

C29 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2012) by The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/338), regs. 1, 5(b)

C30 Art. 19 applied with modifications (7.10.2013) by The Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/219), regs. 1, 9, Sch. Pt. 1 para. 1

C31 Art. 19 applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/229), regs. 1, 8(1)(b)

C32 Art. 19 applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/220), regs. 1, 19, Sch. 5

C33 Art. 19 applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch.

C34 Art. 19 applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch. 14

C35 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/223), regs. 1(2), 12, Sch. 4 Pt. 4

C36 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Products Containing Meat etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/285), regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C37 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (24.6.2015) by The Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/261), reg. 1, Sch. 2

C38 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (11.9.2015) by The Country of Origin of Certain Meats Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/321), regs. 1, 6(4), Sch. Pt. 4

C39 Art. 19 applied (with modifications) (28.11.2015) by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/365), regs. 1, 34(3), Sch. 12 Pt. 4 Table

Defence of due diligence N.I.

20.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence under any of the preceding provisions of this Part, it shall, subject to paragraph (5), be a defence for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence by himself or by a person under his control.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a person charged with an offence under[F2 Article 13 or 14] who neither—

(a) prepared the food in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed; nor

(b) imported it into Northern Ireland,

shall be taken to have established the defence provided by that paragraph if he satisfies the requirements of paragraph (3) or (4).

(3) A person satisfies the requirements of this paragraph if he proves—

(a) that the commission of the offence was due to an act or default of another person who was not under his control, or to reliance on information supplied by such a person;

(b) that he carried out all such checks of the food in question as were reasonable in all the circumstances, or that it was reasonable in all the circumstances for him to rely on checks carried out by the person who supplied the food to him; and

(c) that he did not know and had no reason to suspect at the time of the commission of the alleged offence that his act or omission would amount to an offence under the relevant provision.

(4) A person satisfies the requirements of this paragraph if he proves—

(a) that the commission of the offence was due to an act or default of another person who was not under his control, or to reliance on information supplied by such a person;

(b) that the sale or intended sale of which the alleged offence consisted was not a sale or intended sale under his name or mark; and

(c) that he did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, at the time of the commission of the alleged offence that his act or omission would amount to an offence under the relevant provision.

(5) If in any case the defence provided by paragraph (1) involves the allegation that the commission of the offence was due to an act or default of another person, or to reliance on information supplied by another person, the person charged shall not, without leave of the court, be entitled to rely on that defence unless—

(a) at least 7 clear days before the hearing; and

(b) where he has previously appeared before a court in connection with the alleged offence, before the expiration of one month from his first such appearance,

he has served on the prosecution a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of that other person as was then in his possession.

(6) In paragraph (5) any reference to appearing before a court shall be construed as including a reference to being brought before a court.

F2 SR 2004/505

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C40 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2006) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/256), reg. 5(1)(c);

Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (18.10.2006) by Curd Cheese (Restriction on Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/415), reg. 4(b);

Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (9.11.2006) by Rice Products (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/443), reg. 5(b)

C41 mod. by SR 2004/487

C42 Art. 20 applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(d)

C43 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/65), reg. 10(d)

C44 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/66), reg. 5(1)(c)

C45 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.3.2007) by Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/110), reg. 10(d)

C46 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (7.8.2007) by Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/301), reg. 5(d)

C47 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2007) by Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/349), reg. 6(d)

C48 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (3.8.2007) by Food (Suspension of the Use of E 128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/352), reg. 5(b)

C49 Art. 20 applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(d) (with reg. 3)

C50 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (11.1.2008) by Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/506), reg. 29(c)

C51 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (12.3.2008) by Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/99), reg. 5(b)

C52 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (14.4.2008) by Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/98), reg. 20

C53 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (15.4.2008) by Specified Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/171), reg. 6(b)

C54 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Drinking Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/237), reg. 7(e)

C55 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) and the Milk and Milk Products (Protection of Designations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/239), regs. 3, 7(e)

C56 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (22.12.2008) by Eggs and Chicks (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/451), reg. 20

C57 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/220), reg. 5(1)(c)

C58 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (31.7.2009) by Food Irradiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/258), reg. 11(1)(e)

C59 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2010) by Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/398), reg. 4(c)

C60 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/415), reg. 5(1)(b)

C61 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(1)(c)

C62 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/417), reg. 5(1)(c)

C63 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2010) by Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/54), reg. 10(c)

C64 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (28.4.2010) by Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/125), reg. 29

C65 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (20.10.2010) by Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/335), reg. 5(1)(c)

C66 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2011) by Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/414), reg. 5(1)(b)

C67 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2011) by Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/236), reg. 11(1)(b)

C68 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2012) by The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/338), regs. 1, 5(c)

C69 Art. 20 applied with modifications (7.10.2013) by The Fish Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/219), regs. 1, 9, Sch. Pt. 1 para. 1

C70 Art. 20 applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/229), regs. 1, 8(1)(c)

C71 Art. 20 applied with modifications (31.10.2013) by The Food Additives, Flavourings, Enzymes and Extraction Solvents Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/220), regs. 1, 19, Sch. 5

C72 Art. 20 applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch. 14

C73 Art. 20 applied with modifications (20.11.2013) by The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/253), regs. 1(1), 19, Sch.

C74 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/223), regs. 1(2), 12, Sch. 4 Pt. 4

C75 Art. 20 applied (with modifications) (28.11.2015) by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/365), regs. 1, 34(3), Sch. 12 Pt. 4 Table

C76 Art. 20(1) applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(b)

C77 Art. 20(1) applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Products Containing Meat etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/285), regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C78 Art. 20(1)(5) applied (with modifications) (24.6.2015) by The Honey Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/261), reg. 1, Sch. 2

C79 Art. 20(1) applied (with modifications) (11.9.2015) by The Country of Origin of Certain Meats Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/321), regs. 1, 6(4), Sch. Pt. 4

C80 Art. 20(5) applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(b)

C81 Art. 20(5) applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Products Containing Meat etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/285), regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C82 Art. 20(6) applied (with modifications) (20.5.2006) by Ceramic Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/217), reg. 7(b)

Defence of publication in the course of business N.I.

21.  In proceedings for an offence under any of the preceding provisions of this Part consisting of the advertisement for sale of any food, it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove—

(a) that he is a person whose business it is to publish or arrange for the publication of advertisements; and

(b) that he received the advertisement in the ordinary course of business and did not know and had no reason to suspect that its publication would amount to an offence under that provision.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C83 Art. 21 applied (1.3.2007) by Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/60), reg. 7(e)

C84 Art. 21 applied (with modifications) (7.8.2007) by Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/301), reg. 5(e)

C85 Art. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2007) by Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/349), reg. 6(e)

C86 Art. 21 applied (31.10.2007) by Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/420), reg. 22(1)(e) (with reg. 3)

C87 Art. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.7.2008) by Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) and the Milk and Milk Products (Protection of Designations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/239), regs. 3, 7(f)

C88 Art. 21 applied (with modifications) (20.1.2010) by Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/416), reg. 16(1)(d)

C89 Art. 21 applied (with modifications) (13.12.2014) by The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/223), regs. 1(2), 12, Sch. 4 Pt. 4