Author: Peacock Carter

An independent expert panel has been set up by Scottish Ministers to consider the future delivery of the food standards regime in Scotland. It follows the UK Government’s decision last year to absorb some of the policy areas overseen in England by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), a UK-wide body, back into Whitehall departments. Chaired by the UK’s former chief vet, Jim Scudamore, the review panel will consider the feasibility of establishing a dedicated Scottish FSA, and also the merits of establishing a standalone meat inspection delivery service in Scotland. Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “The Westminster Government’s decision to fragment the FSA south of the border has resulted in a situation where a UK-wide agency carries out different food standard functions in different parts of the UK. Scotland needs to consider how best to respond to this change, recognising the expertise of the FSA team based in Aberdeen. That’s why we have invited Jim Scudamore to lead a review that can provide Ministers with recommendations on the FSA’s functions in Scotland. The review will also include a full assessment of the feasibility of setting up a devolved meat inspection delivery service in Scotland. We expect the panel to consult widely before reporting to Ministers later this year.”

Issued on the Scottish Government website on 23 June 2011 – www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/06/23093327

Food Safety Week is an annual event held to promote the importance of good food hygiene in the home.

As part of Food Safety Week 2011 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s food safety team promoted the publication of the Gaelic translation of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland “Introduction to Food Hygiene Course Handbook”.  “We have been promoting good food hygiene practices and hand hygiene through school visits and this translation is very useful when talking to Gaelic medium classes” explains Ruth Macaskill, an Environmental Health Officer with the Comhairle.  “Good food hygiene practices taught to schoolchildren will hopefully feed back to good practices in the home”.

Airson seachdainn sàbhailteachd-bìdh a chomharrachadh, thug Comhairle nan Eilean Siar lethbhreac den leabhrain mu shàbhailteachd-bìdh a th’air ùr thighinn a-mach ann an Gàidhlig  do gach sgoilear anns a’ chiad dà bhliadhna san aonad Ghàidhlig ann an Sgoil Lacasdail ann an Leòdhas.

To mark Food Safety week, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar gave copies of the food safety books that have newly been translated into Gaelic, to each pupil in Primary One and Two in the Gaelic Medium Unit at Laxdale Primary School in Lewis.

 The photograph shows Laxdale Gaelic Medium Class P1/2 with the new Gaelic Food Hygiene Handbook

Food Safety Week is an annual event held to promote the importance of good food hygiene in the home.

As part of Food Safety Week 2011 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s food safety team promoted the publication of the Gaelic translation of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland “Introduction to Food Hygiene Course Handbook”.  “We have been promoting good food hygiene practices and hand hygiene through school visits and this translation is very useful when talking to Gaelic medium classes” explains Ruth Macaskill, an Environmental Health Officer with the Comhairle.  “Good food hygiene practices taught to schoolchildren will hopefully feed back to good practices in the home”.

Airson seachdainn sàbhailteachd-bìdh a chomharrachadh, thug Comhairle nan Eilean Siar lethbhreac den leabhrain mu shàbhailteachd-bìdh a th’air ùr thighinn a-mach ann an Gàidhlig  do gach sgoilear anns a’ chiad dà bhliadhna san aonad Ghàidhlig ann an Sgoil Lacasdail ann an Leòdhas.

To mark Food Safety week, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar gave copies of the food safety books that have newly been translated into Gaelic, to each pupil in Primary One and Two in the Gaelic Medium Unit at Laxdale Primary School in Lewis.

 The photograph shows Laxdale Gaelic Medium Class P1/2 with the new Gaelic Food Hygiene Handbook

At last month’s Annual Conference Gaelic was, for the first time in the Institute’s 136 year history, spoken in a formal session. In presenting his paper Environmental Health at the Edge/An Arainneachd aig an Oir Alasdair MacEachen used the words Madainn mhath dhuibh uile. Tha mi toilichte an cothrom seo fhaighinn an-diugh airson bruidhinn ruibh mun obair againn anns na h-Eileanan an Iar to open his presentation. One or two delegates had a slightly startled look about them! Translated into English, Alasdair’s opening was Good morning. I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak about our work in the Western Isles! Also launched at conference was the Gaelic portal on the Institute’s website along with The Essentials of Food Hygiene handbook in Gaelic. The Institute offers its sincere thanks to Alasdair’s wife Jean for undertaking the English to Gaelic translation of the handbook. Alasdair, a life-long Environmental Health Officer member of the Institute, is Head of Devolved Services (Uist and Barra) Western Isles Council/Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

At last month’s Annual Conference Gaelic was, for the first time in the Institute’s 136 year history, spoken in a formal session. In presenting his paper Environmental Health at the Edge/An Arainneachd aig an Oir Alasdair MacEachen used the words Madainn mhath dhuibh uile. Tha mi toilichte an cothrom seo fhaighinn an-diugh airson bruidhinn ruibh mun obair againn anns na h-Eileanan an Iar to open his presentation. One or two delegates had a slightly startled look about them! Translated into English, Alasdair’s opening was Good morning. I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak about our work in the Western Isles! Also launched at conference was the Gaelic portal on the Institute’s website along with The Essentials of Food Hygiene handbook in Gaelic. The Institute offers its sincere thanks to Alasdair’s wife Jean for undertaking the English to Gaelic translation of the handbook. Alasdair, a life-long Environmental Health Officer member of the Institute, is Head of Devolved Services (Uist and Barra) Western Isles Council/Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The REHIS Annual Conference is the principal Environmental Health event to take place in Scotland and this year’s event was held in Renfrew at the Glynhill Hotel on 25 and 26 May. The conference proved to be a great success. Highlights included:

• a thought provoking Presidential Address by Acting President Rod House followed by a range of excellent presentations made by eminent speakers including a Keynote Address by Professor Jim McEwen, Chairman, Health Protection Advisory Group and a Close of Conference presentation on Listeria by Kaarin Goodburn, MBE, Director and Secretary General, Chilled Food Association…using Skype!
• the launch of the Gaelic website portal and of the Essentials of Food Hygiene in Gaelic.
• an exhibition by partner organisations.
• a very enjoyable conference dinner with representatives of our many partner organisations attending as guests.
• the presence throughout conference of representatives of partner organisations, local authority councillors and of course, many members of the Institute.

Presentations given by many of the speakers are available for REHIS Members to view and download at https:/page/presentations-events

Welcome to the third Annual Environmental Health Review. 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. We hope you find the review to be interesting and informative.

View or download a copy at the link below.

 Tom Bell

Chief Executive

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

19 Torphichen Street

Edinburgh

EH3 8HX

0131 229 2968

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. The Conference will be held at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew www.glynhill.com/ on 25 and 26 May 2011.An updated conference programme and booking form are attached.

Tom Bell

Chief Executive

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

19 Torphichen Street

Edinburgh

EH3 8HX

0131 229 2968

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a seasonal reminder to anyone visiting open farms over the Easter weekend not to rely on sanitising hand gels or wipes to protect themselves or their children against germs which may be present in farm environments. To reduce the risk of infection visitors should thoroughly wash their hands using soap and water after handling animals or touching farmyard surfaces and always before eating or drinking. Full advice is available directly from the following link to the HPA website: www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2011PressReleases/110420handwashing/

The OHSCR website goes live! www.oshcr.org

The Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR) has been set up by a number of professional bodies representing general safety and occupational health consultants across the UK, with support from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  It is designed to help businesses find well-qualified and experienced consultants able to give good quality advice.  

 See attached pre-registration and FAQ documents for more details.

The Food Law Enforcement in Scotland – A Report on the Administrative and Enforcement Arrangements report, prepared by The Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland, The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee. The report, published this month by the Institute, represents the current arrangements and practice in Scotland and:

• discusses food law enforcement in Scotland
• identifies the structure for the uniform approach in Scotland
• demonstrates the positive partnership between local authorities, the Scottish Government, the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, trade organisations, consumer groups and other interested organisations
• illustrates Uniformity & Consistency, Performance, Service Delivery and Best Value
• demonstrates the comprehensive approach to Enforcement Officer training
• highlights the different legislative approach within Scotland under the umbrella of EU and UK legislation
• demonstrates support for the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.

The report can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The March 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. The March e-Newsletter includes items on Scotland’s Spring Clean, our joint award with Devro (Scotland) Limited, OSHCR, a training opportunity for a Scottish Environmental Health Graduate, the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland Annual Congress and forthcoming events. If you wish to feature an environmental health or public health initiative, event or activity in the e-Newsletter please contact Tom Bell, Chief Executive on 0131 229 2968 or tb@.