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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.

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 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.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) uses a data-driven approach to measure the effectiveness of its public awareness campaigns, ensuring they drive meaningful change in consumer behaviour and food safety awareness. The evaluation methods include:

Consumer Tracking & Surveys FSS Consumer Tracker: Regular surveys assess consumer awareness, understanding, and trust in FSS. Recent results show 8 in 10 adults in Scotland have heard of FSS.

Pre- and Post-Campaign Research: Evaluates shifts in public perception and behaviour before and after key campaigns.

Social Media Metrics: Engagement rates (likes, shares, comments) and reach help measure the impact of online campaigns.

Website Analytics: Tracking page views, dwell time, and downloads of guidance materials indicates audience interest and information retention.

Media Coverage Analysis: Volume, sentiment, and audience reach of press and broadcast coverage provide insights into campaign effectiveness.

Food Safety & Fraud Reporting: Changes in public reporting of food safety concerns and food crime cases following awareness efforts.

Public Sentiment Analysis: Social listening tools help gauge real-time reactions to food safety incidents and misinformation.

Quarterly Reporting to the Executive Management Board & Finance and Business Committee (FBC): Key performance indicators (KPIs) track campaign success.

Lessons Learned Assessments: Inform future improvements to communications strategy.

a. Food Standards Scotland liaises extensively with the Food Standards Agency, who are responsible for food safety in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, before advising Scottish Ministers of the need to amend any food safety legislation in Scotland. This is undertaken in line with the provisionally agreed Common Framework for Food Safety and Hygiene.

b. The UK is an active member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the body responsible for developing international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice. Codex standards aim to harmonise national food safety regulations to ensure safety, quality and fairness in international food trade and to protect consumers. Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency liaise with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the lead UK Government Department for Codex, to represent the UK position in Codex on food safety matters within our remit, such as food hygiene, food additives, methods analysis and sampling, food contaminants and imports import and export certification systems.

Food made from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is classed as a regulated product. Therefore, it must undergo rigorous pre-market safety and risk analysis before sale in Scotland. This analysis will inform Food Standards Scotland (FSS) risk management recommendations to Scottish Ministers who decide whether to authorise a product. The FSS Regulated Products Service monitors all GMO products, and all businesses are legally required to report any new/emerging information that may affect the safety of an authorised product. The FSS Website contains guidelines for GMO’s including labelling and traceability and links to the register of authorised GMO’s.

(a)Number of people receiving fines for speeding offences on trunk roads, where main crime, in Scottish Courts, by court location (LA), 2018-19 to 2022-23.

Regardless of the technology used to produce food, the food business operator must abide by the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 on general food law and the hygiene requirements, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs of animal origin. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) provides guidance on the general food safety and hygiene requirements, which includes the need for a food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, guidance on the specific rules covering products of animal origin, if they apply depending on the nature of the food. Also, if the food falls within one of the Regulated Products categories, then there is free online guidance to support businesses in applying for the appropriate type of authorisation.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information

The Scottish Government does not hold this information