More than 208 tonnes of unsafe food have been intercepted at the UK border since November 2024, with Ashford Port Health Authority preventing contaminated, improperly stored and non-compliant products from entering the national food supply chain.
More than 208 tonnes of unsafe food has been stopped at the UK border by Ashford Port Health Authority, preventing products unfit for consumption from entering the national food supply.
Since November 2024, officers have seized and destroyed 208,563.81kg of food products deemed unsafe – roughly equivalent to the weight of around 35 elephants. Of this total, 39 tonnes were intercepted and removed from the supply chain since 20 March 2026 alone, highlighting the scale of activity taking place at the UK border.
The Authority confirmed that all costs linked to seizing and destroying the goods are recovered from the importers responsible, meaning the enforcement activity comes at no cost to the UK taxpayer.
Officials say the interceptions underline the critical role port health authorities play in protecting public health and maintaining the integrity of the UK food chain. The seized consignments were not minor administrative breaches but products that posed genuine safety risks, including food that was incorrectly documented, improperly stored, contaminated before or during transit, or failing to meet UK safety standards.
In some cases, such goods can also provide pathways for serious animal and plant diseases to enter the country if they are not identified and stopped at the border.
Technology and enforcement strengthen border controls
Operating at the frontline of the UK’s biosecurity system, Ashford Port Health Authority carries out checks on imported goods to ensure they are safe, compliant and fit for consumption. The work has become increasingly important amid recent disease outbreaks in Europe and the continued need to protect the UK’s food chain and agricultural sector.
Every one of these consignments represents food that could have ended up on someone’s plate. Our role is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
These figures show the scale of what we are dealing with on a daily basis, but they are only one part of the picture. Our work, and that of the wider Port Health Authorities, is also about protecting the UK from wider risks, including the potential spread of serious diseases.
We are continuing to strengthen our approach, combining experienced officers with new technology to ensure we remain effective as volumes and complexity increase.”
Anthony Baldock, corporate director of health and wellbeing at Ashford Port Health Authority
To support this work, the Authority has also been investing in AI-driven systems to assist with import document checks. The technology helps officers process large volumes of paperwork quickly, enabling inspection teams to focus their expertise on higher-risk consignments.
The latest figures come as scrutiny of UK border controls and food safety systems intensifies, with Ashford Port Health Authority handling the highest volume of commercial freight checks in the country and playing a central role in preventing unsafe food entering the UK market.
The Authority says it will continue investing in systems and processes to strengthen its ability to detect and intercept unsafe goods as import volumes and complexity increase.
No comments yet