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.

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

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.

The Scottish and UK Government jointly developed an evidence-led and objective place selection methodology for Investment Zones, adapting the approach taken by the UK Government in England when selecting Investment Zone regions.

As part of the place selection process, financial modelling was undertaken to assess the potential economic benefits of the proposed Investment Zones. This analysis considered a range of factors, including wellbeing economy need, employment growth, and the attraction of inward investment. The modelling also examined the anticipated fiscal impact, including potential revenue generation and cost implications for both governments. The place selection methodology was published on 18 August 2023.

In addition, the Scottish Government regularly engages with regional stakeholders including the North East Regional Economic Partnership to ensure that the Investment Zone continues to align with local economic priorities and maximises benefits for businesses and communities within the region. Further assessment and refinement of the financial modelling will continue as the Investment Zone proposals are developed through the Gateway process, to ensure its long-term success.

Investment Zones in Scotland are being jointly delivered by the Scottish and UK Governments. The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government regarding the proposed Investment Zone for the North East region. Weekly progress meetings are held between officials from both Governments to discuss the development of proposals and implementation of the Investment Zone. Additionally, the Scottish and UK Government jointly participate in scheduled fortnightly meetings with the North East Regional Economic Partnership, and more often where required, to ensure continued collaboration.

Food Standards Scotland was established in April 2015 as the public sector food body for Scotland, to protect the health and wellbeing of consumers through three objectives set under the Food (Scotland) Act 2015. FSS has a unique

role in government, working independently of Ministers and industry, to provide advice which is impartial, and based on robust science and data. The Act includes a statutory objective to improve the extent to which members of the public have diets conducive to good health.

Since 2015 FSS have advised government policy regarding dietary improvements as outlined in the following Board papers which are published here: Board meetings | Food Standards Scotland.

A number of the recommendations outlined within the Board papers have been incorporated into Scottish Government policies and action plans including the Diet and Healthy weight delivery and Out of Home action plans. An overview of their public health nutrition strategy is available here: Public Health Nutrition Strategy | Food Standards Scotland which sets out their approach to addressing the statutory objective to improving the diet. It signals a greater focus on measures to influence the food environment supporting healthier and more sustainable options for consumers.

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.

The Operational Delivery Division in Food Standards Scotland has a contingency plan for all meat plants in Scotland. This ensures a continuous service of Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) and Official Veterinarians (OVs) and to minimise disruption to supply chains during times of severe weather, industrial action, or other extraordinary events.

The Scottish Government is actively working with partners to establish the Investment Zone for the North East region. There is a jointly agreed and delivered Gateway process for the Investment Zone to follow through to delivery. This is currently underway, and it is anticipated that the Investment Zone will be established and operational later this year.

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.