Food Standards Agency backs down over controversial #MeatFreeWeek tweet

The controversial Tweet by FSA
The controversial Tweet by FSA

The Food Standards Agency has been strongly criticised from meat and farming organisations over a tweet promoting '#MeatFreeWeek.'

The FSA has since deleted the tweet after members of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) voiced concerns it had "overstepped its mark as a non-ministerial government department".

'Meat Free Week' is an annual campaign, taking place between 1-8 August, challenging participants to adopt a vegetarian stance and give up meat for a week.

The tweet invited social media users to take up the meat free week challenge, implying to the public it would make them 'feel good'.

AIMS said of the tweet: "Its role (FSA) is not that of lobbyist but to use its expertise and influence so that people can trust that the food they buy and eat is safe and honest.

"At no point should it be actively influencing people to make a particular dietary choice."

An FSA spokesperson has since responded on Twitter and said: "Of course there are lots of good reasons to eat meat, it's good for people to make a conscious choice."