Protecting the Public

The Association of Public Analysts (also known as the APA) is the professional body for the highly-skilled scientists who make up the front-line of the UK’s public protection service. The Public Analyst works to ensure the health and safety of the public in relation to food, animal feed, water, environmental matters and consumer protection.
Working in Partnership

The Association of Public Analysts works hand in hand with protection and enforcement bodies such as the Fire Service, Trading Standards, Environmental Health and the Food Standards Agency. These bodies work together to ensure the safety and protection of everyone in the UK. The APA also works with schools and community groups to raise awareness and understanding of public protection issues.
Rigorous, in-depth Training

Keeping the public safe requires professionals with the highest level of training and qualification. Once qualified, public analysts must maintain their skills and competencies to ensure they are in an informed position to respond to emerging issues. The APA has a strong focus on training and organises a range of training activities for practising public analysts and those training to join the profession.
History and Heritage

The Association of Public Analysts traces its origins back to the 19th century when laws were first introduced in the UK to combat the growing problem of food fraud and adulteration. The requirement for local authorities to appoint an analyst was enshrined in The Adulteration of Food and Drink Act 1860 and the need for a professional association to represent these analysts and to maintain high standards in the profession was recognised.

Headlines

The Birmingham Food Council

The Birmingham Food Council which, amongst other things, commissioned "The Hand That Feeds" a musical about food crime, has published its response to the Draft London Food Strategy. The response includes a section on the safety, assurance and integrity of food supplies which highlights the impacts of the decline in local authority enforcement activity."
Read more

What we do - Making it crystal clear

Putting things in Perspective

The day to day work carried out by the members of the APA has a direct effect on our daily lives — from the food that we eat to the air we breathe, from checking the safety of children's toys to providing a frontline emergency response unit for chemical leaks.
Find out more
Case studies

View some recent case studies of work carried out by members of the APA showcasing the diverse range of instances where our members get involved.
Find out more

Job Vacancies

Tender Opportunities

The Honorary Secretary
Association of Public Analysts
c/o Aberdeen Scientific Services Laboratory
Old Aberdeen House
Dunbar Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3UJ
T: 07305 914 184
E: dcampbell@ipublicanalyst.com

Copyright APA 2011

The Association of Public Analysts is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (No. 526029)