THE region has gained an important voice at the highest levels of UK food safety enforcement.
Alan Richards, head of scientific services at Durham County Council, has been appointed vice-president of the National Association of Public Analysts.
Public analysts work for local authorities, carrying out scientific testing on food, including its composition, as well as safety.
They analyse goods test-purchased by trading standards officers from manufacturers and retailers. The results are summarised and regular reports are sent to the Food Standards Agency.
The 48-year-old has also taken up a voluntary appointment as chief examiner for the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In this role, he will prepare and assess examination papers for the statutory qualification of Mastership in Chemical Analysis - an essential qualification for anyone wanting to work in the UK as public analysts for local authorities.
Every food authority has a responsibility to appoint a public analyst to act on their behalf on matters of food testing and safety.
Mr Richards is employed by Durham County Council, but also serves the public analyst role for seven authorities in the North-East.
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