To ask the Scottish Government what role Food Standards Scotland plays in monitoring and preventing the sale of counterfeit or substandard alcohol.
In line with the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) Food Crime Prevention Strategic Plan 2024-27, FSS works in partnership with local authorities, other law enforcement agencies (LEA), industry and stakeholders at various strategic and tactical fora, including:
- the National Multi Agency Counterfeit Alcohol Working Group
- regular engagement with the drinks industry
- share intelligence with relevant LEA and local authority partners
- engagement with international LEA partners - Europol, OLAF and participate in Operation OPSON
- Food Crime Global Alliance
- access to Trading Standards intelligence system
- media awareness - including risk communication to consumers
- horizon scanning
- proactive sampling projects
- multi-agency inspections
- through joint working/liaison with Police Scotland, HMRC and local authorities
- intelligence requirements from/to various partners
- Food Alerts for Action (FAFA) via local authorities
- liaison with Public Health teams and National Poisons