Joanna Higgins, Web Editor, FSAsafefood Social Media Conference

Thursday 16 September

About the AgencyThe Food Standards Agency is a UK-wide body.

It is a non-ministerial government department, operating at arm’s length from Ministers, and is governed by a Board appointed to act in the public interest.

Our vision: ‘Safe food and healthy eating for all’

•Putting the consumer first

•Openness and independence

•Science and evidence-based

Reaching stakeholders online

• Websites: food.gov.uk and eatwell

• Email alerts and SMS

• Phone applications

• Board meetings webcast & podcast

• Twitter

• Blog

Chief Scientist’s blog

Blog vital statistics

• Launched in November 2006

• Average 12,700 visits per month, depending on content

• Peaked at 20,000 visits a month

Best coverage comes when Andrew can combine science and a little light controversy…

Dump the detox • 54 comments posted

• ‘Judging from the number of comments, this blog has received a lot more attention than usual. I too had never visited before today but now I have it bookmarked for regular reading. Nice one.’ Posted by Chris Pitcher.

• ‘At last common sense prevails!! the most intelligent piece of information given by the government for decades !’ Posted by anonymous

• ‘Government propaganda...of course the FSA would say this.’ Posted by Hannah.

Pasteurised is best • ‘My brothers and I grew up on raw milk and suffered

no ill health from it.’ Posted by Paula Broom.

• ‘The provision of a good “Raw” food supply should be maintained with all foods, as this is important in fostering a strong immune system and hence good health throughout the population. Most Dairy farmers and their families do and have, drunk their milk “raw”. How many can you find me who have suffered as a result?’ Posted by David.

Colours and hyperactivity • Feedback was generated quickly and

expressed with a lot of passion

• Attracted huge response with over 40 comments posted

• ‘A month after publication of clear evidence of the harm being done to our children by the addition of entirely unnecessary artificial additives to processed foods, and are we any nearer to having the things banned?’

• ‘Is it possible to have some precisions on the named additives and artificial colours?’

User Feedback

• A large proportion (45%) rated the blog highly

• A large proportion of respondents (55%) claimed to have visited the site at least once a week

• 80% said that they’d visit the site in the future and would recommend it to others

Engaging with science

• Finalist in the 2007 New Statesman’s new media awards in the Information and Openness category

• August 2008, BBC Focus magazine chose the blog as ‘blog of the month’, describing it as ‘A voice of reason and the perfect antidote for tabloid sensationalism, this is one blog that will help satiate your appetite.’

So what have we learned?

• Choose your blogger carefully• Give yourself time• Know what you’re trying to do

food.gov.uk/scienceblog