Improving and protecting health and wellbeing in Scotland through education, training and qualifications in Environmental Health
A group commissioned to identify lessons learned from the horsemeat fraud issue has published its findings.
Led by former Chief Vet Professor Jim Scudamore, the report makes a number of recommendations intended to improve the food safety and standards regime in Scotland.
The news release from the Scottish Government is attached.
To access the full report click on the link – Putting Food Safety first
The results of a survey exploring attitudes, reported behaviours and knowledge around food in Scotland have been published today showing that the cost of food is perceived to be the main barrier to eating healthily for up to a sixth of the population.
Click on the link for more information Scotland Food and You
The July 2013 edition of the REHIS e-Newsletter ‘News for Public Health Professionals’ has been uploaded to this website and is accessible from a dedicated public access portal to the right of this news item.
If you wish to feature any Environmental Health or Public Health initiative, event or activity in the REHIS Newsletter, please contact Jim Thomson, Policy/Professional Development Officer, The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, 19 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh or jt@
Last week the UK launched its new front of pack (FoP) nutrition labelling scheme. The scheme combines the use of red, amber and green colour coding and percentage reference intakes, alongside the amounts of energy, fat, saturated fat (saturates), sugars and salt in a defined portion of food. Two sets of guidance on nutrition labelling have been published:
See the attached document from the Food Standards Agency Scotland for more information about the scheme.
Europe’s environment now healthier – but new risks emerging
Europeans live longer and healthier lives than in the past, partly due to successful environmental policies that have reduced the exposure to harmful environmental contaminants in air, water and food, according to a new report. However, these contaminants are still a problem, and several new health risks are emerging, for example, from new chemicals, new products and changing lifestyle patterns.
Click on the link EEA/JRC report on Environment and Health for more information.
Grease Smoke & Odour Control: Controlling emission from Commercial Cooking Processes
The aim of the training event is to provide professionals/technical officers with an insight into controlling emissions from commercial catering operations. It will provide information on the various techniques and equipment that are available on the market currently to tackle this type of problem. As well as inform delegates about the design of commercial catering ventilation systems.
The seminar provides an excellent opportunity to learn from the speaker and to discuss relevant issues with peers, raise questions on the subject matter.
See the attached flyer for more information about dates and venues
The REHIS Annual Conference was held at The Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew on 16 and 17 May this year and was judged by participants to have been a great success.
A full report will be included in the forthcoming summer edition of the Institute’s quarterly Journal Environmental Health Scotland .
For presentations and photographs please click on the links below.
The fifth Annual Environmental Health Review was launched at the Annual Conference in Paisley. Although collated and published by the Institute the review aims to highlight the contribution made to Environmental Health by a wide range of partners working across Scotland.The review is attached for viewing and downloading.
This year’s annual conference will be held at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew on 16th and 17th May 2013.The REHIS Annual Conference is the principal Environmental Health event to take place in Scotland. It provides an opportunity to reflect on current and future approaches to protecting and improving the health of the Scottish people and to renew friendships and make new ones.
For more information and a booking form view the event here
Crofton Award Open for Applications
£1500 of prize money for youth groups interested in tackling tobacco
Are you a group of young people already taking action against the harm caused by tobacco or who would like to develop a new idea to tackle this issue? You don’t need to be an expert on tobacco to apply for this award; ASH Scotland’s Young People’s Team can support you to develop your ideas, knowledge and awareness of tobacco related issues. For information on the Crofton Award and case studies of previous winners please visit our website.
There has been an instant positive reaction from Scottish companies and councils in response to the launch of the 2013 Green Apple Environment Awards for Scotland. Launched only a couple of weeks ago, businesses of all types and sizes are submitting their entries to win one of the top environmental accolades in Scotland.
There are individual categories for every type of business, so everyone has a chance of success. AND IT’S FREE!
Have you entered yet? There is no entry fee and your company can win…
There is no entry fee and all winners receive free tickets for the glittering presentation ceremony in Edinburgh Castle. With Gold, Silver and Bronze awards to be won in each category, there are three opportunities to win the recognition and reward that your environmental efforts deserve.
If you are doing anything that helps the environment – tell us about it!
The International Green Apple Awards launched in 1994, and Scotland has its own campaign and prize giving event, supported by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
You can enter online, by email or by post and you will find more information at www.greenappleawards.com or you can phone 01604 810507.
FREE ENTRY CLOSING DATE APRIL 30, 2013
Awareness course for Local Authority Environmental Health Officers
“Exposure of the general public to optical radiation has a long history, particularly in the case of exposure to solar radiation. In more recent years, artificial optical radiation, and in particular ultraviolet and laser radiation, has found many new applications. Many of these new uses increase the scope for the public to be exposed to these radiations. This course is intended to highlight public health issues arising from both new and old sources of ultraviolet and laser radiation.”
The course includes discussions on: Basis Concepts of Optical Radiation, Biological effects, Exposure Limits and Regulations, the sun and sunbeds, Effect lighting and laser displays, Laser pointers and other products.
There is currently no charge for Council EHOs to attend this course as the fee will be paid by the Scottish Government under a Memorandum of Understanding PHE have in place.
To book a place on the course please contact CRCE Scotland on 0141 440 2201. For further information about the course please contact Stewart Robertson on the same number or email stewart.robertson@phe.gov.uk
