Chamber and committees

While the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland, currently there is no community audiology service in place, with services provided either in hospital settings or, if patients choose to self-refer for treatment privately on the high street. There has therefore been no assessment of private provision made.

The Scottish Government do not hold information if individual Boards have engaged with private companies in support of waiting lists.

While the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland, re-phasing of funding has meant that not all the challenges we are facing will be addressed in a single budget and therefore there is no community hearing service in operation at this time.

While our response to the Independent Review of Audiology is implemented, we will continue to work with the NHS, Third Sector and private providers to identify and cost an appropriate model of community care for any future service reform, and ensure that the voices of those with lived experience inform this work.

There are no plans to increase staff specifically at our Aberdeen office.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has an established Risk Analysis process in place to assess, manage and communicate evidence-based advice on food safety risks. It is a joint process with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to ensure the UK maintains high standards of food and feed safety.

The aim of the risk analysis process is to provide confidence that FSS and FSA advice delivers public health protection; is informed by science and evidence; considers consumers’ other interests in relation to food; and is independent. The process follows globally recognised frameworks for risk analysis. It is open and transparent and provides for a four nations approach.

When an issue is identified a risk assessment is conducted to estimate the risk to human and/or animal health. This may be done in consultation with external experts from independent Scientific Advisory Committees and Joint Expert Groups. Risk assessments will generally be conducted on a four-nation basis, with capacity for nation-specific risk assessments where required. Risk managers then consider which approaches could be implemented to manage and control the risk. Interested parties are consulted and other factors are considered alongside food safety, such as animal welfare, environment, economic impact, and any nation-specific factors that are relevant. The risk management advice can be used to inform ministerial decisions on changes to legislation, or to provide guidance on issues affecting businesses and consumers.

Food Standards Scotland has undertaken two major public health campaigns on reducing foodborne illness in Scotland. Evaluations that were commissioned to assess the impact of these campaigns were positive in terms of visibility, reach and impacts on reported behaviours.

• The Pink Chicken campaign ran during the Summer of 2016 and aimed to increase awareness of, and reduce complacency about, the risks of food poisoning when cooking chicken outdoors over the summer season, particularly when barbecuing with family and friends. The key results and evaluation of this campaign can be read here Case_study-_Summer_Food_Safety_campaign.pdf.
• The Kitchen Crimes campaign in 2018 focussed on food safety behaviours and how consumers can make small changes in the kitchen to keep them and their family safe from the food they prepare and eat. The key results and evaluation of this campaign can be read here FSS 'Kitchen crimes' Food Safety Campaign 2018 - Evaluation | Food Standards Scotland.

In addition we have run smaller, more targeted campaigns to promote awareness of the risks of foodborne illness to the over 65 age group and good food safety practices when preparing and serving food over the Christmas period.

• In 2023, we ran a targeted campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with Campylobacter infection for those aged 65+. This campaign encouraged consumers who may be particularly vulnerable to campylobacter infection (the most commonly occurring cause of foodborne illness) to adopt safer food safety practices, particularly when it comes to the handling and cooking of chicken. This campaign tested the dissemination of information on Campylobacter on posters displayed in supermarket settings, and leaflets which provided food safety messaging alongside chicken recipes. We also engaged with people in this age group in assisted living premises, and ran focus groups to assess levels of understanding and get a better understanding of the format and channels of advice and information that is preferred by this age group and likely to have the most positive impact on food hygiene behaviours in the home. The evaluation of this campaign was not published but the findings are being used alongside outputs from our social research programme which will support the development of our future campaigns to communicate food safety messaging to segments of the population in Scotland which may be more vulnerable to foodborne illness.
• For Christmas 2021 we ran a food safety campaign reminding people about the risks of food poisoning over the festive period – focussing on the different food behaviours that people tend to adopt during the holiday e.g. over-stocking their fridges, catering for larger groups than usual, eating leftovers, and serving buffet style meals (with food left at room temperature for prolonged periods) . The campaign evaluation found that the it was well received, with good brand cut through and 82% of consumers questioned about the impact of our adverts saying that they took action to change their behaviour after seeing them-particularly around ensuring their turkey was cooked thoroughly and using leftovers safely.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is a Competent Authority (CA) as defined in food law for the delivery of Official Controls (OCs) for all approved meat and poultry plants. FSS have a daily presence of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) who operate in these plants to oversee animal health and welfare and protection of public health. They also undertake a series of audits, unannounced inspections, and where required enforcement actions to ensure compliance with food law.

Local Authorities check for compliance with allergen law during food law interventions at food businesses. It is not possible for Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to determine the number of breaches. However, 127 allergen incidents have been reported to FSS Incidents team since 1st April 2019. Since 1st April 2019, FSS has issued 455 allergy alerts (26 were drafted and issued by FSS), most of these alerts were drafted and issued by Food Standards Agency but were mirrored by FSS as there was distribution of implicated products to Scotland.

Food Standards Scotland has a range of enforcement actions detailed in food law it can use to address noncompliance. They also have enforcement polices for each sector they regulate promoting advice and best practice with a view to a graduated approach.

Under the Food Information to Consumers Regulation, food information must be accurate and not mislead the consumer. This applies to both mandatory information such as ingredients lists and nutrition declarations as well as any voluntary information for example a general claim about a food being a healthy option. Local Authority Environmental Health Departments have powers under the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 to enforce these requirements and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) encourages businesses to work with enforcement officers to ensure compliance with the law.