Chamber and committees

A joint UK wide public consultation on fairer food labelling ran for 8 weeks from 12 March 2024 to 7 May 2024. The purpose of this consultation was to seek opinion on specific options in respect of method of production labelling, but it also provided an opportunity to gather evidence and opinions in respect of country-of-origin labelling. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are continuing to engage on this work alongside Scottish Government policy colleagues and on a four-country basis to determine next steps.

Food Standards Scotland has a statutory duty to improve the extent to which the Scottish population have diets conducive to good health. Their unique position, independent from government, allows them to report and publish evidence to inform policy across a wide range of actions in diet and nutrition.

In 2024 FSS published the Public Health Nutrition strategy which was developed to complement delivery of Scottish Government policy on diet as described in the Healthier Futures Delivery Plan and Out of Home Action Plan. This strategy outlines how improvements to diet in Scotland will be supported, including efforts to reduce levels of overweight and obesity.

All information/intelligence relating to food crime is assessed and, where appropriate, is subject to further investigation or referred to relevant enforcement authorities, e.g. local authorities. Since 2018, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) investigators have undertaken forty-seven investigations of varying complexity into alleged food crime, many of which were conducted jointly with local authorities or with the collaboration of other law enforcement agencies (LEA), with FSS having a lead role.

Of these forty-seven investigations:

• 11 identified fraud
• 4 identified culpable and reckless conduct (serious food safety issues)
• 3 identified animal cruelty at FSS approved premises
• 1 identified breaches of hygiene regulations at approved premises
• 7 proved no crime had been committed

(Note: the above listing refers to the principal crime type as in a number of cases there were multiple crime counts, including statutory food safety offences).

As regards the remaining 21 investigations, these identified regulatory food crime or other related matters falling under the principal remit of local authorities or other law enforcement agencies (LEA including international LEA), which were referred for consideration of further action.

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

The Scottish Government does not hold any information relating to individual NHS Board delivery of audiology services.

In developing policy and introducing new regulations and guidance, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) places an emphasis on engaging with stakeholders, in particular small businesses. In gathering evidence for policy changes, FSS follows the Scottish Government Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) process which requires proposals to be discussed with a selection of businesses. FSS also provides a variety of resources free of charge on its website including guidance and online training from advice to new business start-ups to technical matters such as providing allergen information to consumers and how to apply for a regulated product authorisation.

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.

As part of its competent authority role Food Standards Scotland monitors and enforces regulations in marine waters, slaughterhouses, standalone cutting plants, game handling establishments, feed, and wine business, throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, this includes on the Islands and all rural areas where a business is located.

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 (FSS) ensures consumers have access to accurate, science-based information on food safety. FSS focusses on digital engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and incident response to maintain public awareness. FSS continues to fulfil its statutory duty to protect public health by prioritising incident response, stakeholder collaboration and targeted digital engagement.

The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) approach to recruitment is consistent with Civil Service rules on open and fair recruitment. A staff Engagement Survey is undertaken every year to understand staff views on working for FSS and that informs their approach to retention. FSS’ current staff engagement score is 72% which places them 5th across the UK civil service compared to organisations of a comparable size and 9th overall. FSS jobs that are advertised either internally or externally are open to Aberdeen residents to apply.