The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is a UK wide advisory committee of independent experts set up to replace the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). It advises the UK Health Departments and is supported by a Department of Health secretariat. Its remit includes matters concerning nutrient content of individual foods, advice on diet and the nutritional status of people.
Members are appointed as independent scientific experts on the basis of their specific skills and knowledge. Members are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Scientific Advisory Committees.
MEMBERS
Six new Members have been appointed, as of August 2011, to cover areas in the Committee not currently represented by experts. The SACN are delighted to welcome the following experts as Members of the Committee:
Professor Peter Aggett
Honorary Professor,
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC);
Dr Anthony Williams
Reader in Child
Nutrition and Consultant in Neonatal Paediatrics,
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
Advisory Panel on Nutritional Standards for Early Years Settings
Ms Gill Fine
Public Health Nutritionist
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
None
Professor Timothy Key
Professor in
Epidemiology and Deputy Director of Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
None
Dr Monique Raats
Reader and Co-director of the Food, Consumer
Behaviour and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences,
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
None
Dr Stella Walsh
Postgraduate
Programme Leader,
Other Ministerial appointments currently held:
None
All appointments are for an initial 4 or 2 years with maximum possible terms of 10 years and members will receive remuneration of £160 per meeting. This amount includes a reading fee.
These appointments have been made in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No political activity was declared by any of the successful candidates.
We are pleased to have found six highly suitable experts for the positions advertised and are grateful to all applicants for their interest in the committee and for applying.
In accordance with the Government policy on transparency in working procedures, SACN operates from a presumption of openness. Dates of meetings and agendas are published in advance and the minutes made available on the website as soon as they are agreed.