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Public Health Scotland and Food Standards Scotland have produced briefing paper that explores the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar or salt and describes the impact of these promotions on our health.

The briefing highlights that Scotland is far from meeting its healthy eating goals and the direct impact this has on the health of the population, particularly on children living in less affluent areas who are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy food on their high streets and where childhood obesity rates are highest.

It notes that improvements to the food environment, including increasing the number of healthy foods on promotion, will make it easier for people to access healthier options and ultimately improve the health of people in Scotland.

The briefing paper has been produced in support of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed regulations to restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt.

Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland, said:

“Nutritious food is essential for our health but our chances of accessing healthy food depend strongly on where we live. In Scotland, people living in communities associated with poverty, are less likely to have access to affordable, healthy food and are more likely to experience poor health as a result.

“Cost-of-living pressures have put healthier options out of reach for many. Very often, the food that is most accessible and heavily promoted are those most damaging to our health.

“We must ensure that eating well is the easiest thing to do – not the hardest. It’s only through direct action, like addressing marketing behaviours on unhealthy food, that we can improve Scotland’s health and reduce the widening health inequalities we are experiencing.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s consultation as an important opportunity to drive change, a turning point to creating a food system for the people of Scotland that puts health as the number one priority.”

Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland, said:

“The Scottish Government’s consultation is a welcome move to target the heavy promotion of unhealthy food and is needed to rebalance our food environment and help address this critical public health issue.

“Promotions and marketing of unhealthy foods are a major part of our food environment and now more than ever what surrounds us, shapes us. We know that promotions are skewed towards these unhealthy options and can encourage us to buy more than we intended to. If now is not the time to take action, when is? When levels of over-weight and obesity reach 85% from the current two thirds of the adult population? “Not now” cannot be an argument any longer.

“We can’t rely on personal responsibility alone to change our eating habits any longer: that approach has not worked for at least forty years and won’t work now. And we have had significant increases in preventable diseases and higher costs to the NHS. Personal responsibility is a component, but it’s not the solution. We need to rebalance our food environment to support healthier options.”

View the ‘Transforming our food environment’ briefing paper

View the Scottish Government consultation on restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt

Two women died after eating chicken mayonnaise sandwiches suspected of containing listeria at Manchester Royal Infirmary, an inquest heard.

The findings follow a five-day joint inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court.

Retired Jamaican nurse Beverley Sowah, 57, and mother-of-five Enid Heap, 84, were given them on successive days while patients at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2019.

The women died a few days later and the “primary hypothesis” suggests that they suffered listeria infections from the sandwiches the hospital provided – they also had underlying health issues, a joint inquest heard at Manchester Court Coroner’s Court.

Their deaths were among seven fatalities, part of a nationwide alert over the listeria outbreak which affected nine people in all in other hospitals, including in Liverpool, Leicester and Derby.

Tina Potter, head of incident at the Food Standards Agency regulator, told the inquest the outbreak was escalated to a high-priority incident.

The jury concluded the bacteria entered the food chain at cooked meat processing firm North Country Quality Foods (NCQF) in Salford, Greater Manchester.

They supplied the contaminated chicken to sandwich-making firm the Good Food Chain (GFC), based in Stone, Staffordshire, which used it to produce chicken mayonnaise sandwiches.

These were then supplied to Sodexo, who were contracted to supply the NHS trust running the hospital, and the sandwiches were fed to Mrs Sowah and Mrs Heap.

Ms Potter said the investigations suggested the source of the listeria originated in the cooked chicken supplied to the GFC by NCQF, located in Salford.

Safe levels of listeria exist and it is a widespread common bacteria with various strains. The maximum legal limit is 100 colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g), the inquest heard. 

A sealed bag of chicken products was tested a month after the women’s death by public health officials, with the sample showing an “unprecedented high level” of a listeria strain, Ms Potter said. 

The level found in the diced chicken bag was 1,000 cfu/g – 10 times the legal limit.

The two MRI deaths were immediately linked as both patients ate the same sandwiches at the same hospital. They worked backwards to trace the sandwich supplier and which firm had supplied the meat.

Zak Golombeck, Manchester city coroner, said: “You were able to conclude that the source of the listeria contamination was the cooked chicken?”

Ms Potter said: “That’s correct. We drew that conclusion because that was the product that patients had consumed.”

Another customer had a supply of bacon from NQCF which was found to have the strain of listeria involved in the hospital deaths.

Ms Potter added: “So having a pathogen genetically related in two food products within the same business would lead us to a likely hypothesis that there’s an environmental contamination that’s persisted.

“It’s really difficult once it takes a foothold in a business to get rid of it.”

Both women acquired listeria from the contaminated food which more than minimally contributed to their deaths, jurors found.

Both meat supplier and sandwich maker firms have since gone into liquidation.

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on proposals to restrict the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt.

The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, closing on 21 May, will outline the detail of proposed regulations aimed at creating a food environment which better supports healthier choices.

Proposals include restricting multi-buys, unlimited refills or selling at locations such as at checkouts and front of store.

Feedback on the proposals will help to inform regulations to be laid before the Scottish Parliament, subject to the outcome of the consultation.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:

“Improving health and supporting people to eat well and have a healthy weight is a public health priority.  We need to address the high levels of excess weight, obesity and poor diet we know are contributing to worsening trends in Scotland’s health. The association between these issues and health outcomes such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers has been established for some time. 

“We want to ensure Scotland is a place where we eat well and have a healthy weight. The Scottish Government is committed to restricting promotions of foods high in fat, sugar or salt at the point of purchase as research shows this is when people make decisions about what and how much to buy, for themselves and their families.

“This consultation, together with our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan, demonstrates the ambitious and wide-ranging action we believe is needed to address this challenge, and support improvements in diet and health and wellbeing  in Scotland.

“The consultation will run in parallel with an extensive programme of inclusive stakeholder engagement, to improve the process of developing, implementing and reviewing regulations to meet our long-term public health and economic aims.”

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on the proposed legislation for the ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland which is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025.

The ban on single-use vapes is being taken forward using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This approach has been used in the past to ban other items such as microbeads, cotton buds and single use plastics. Regulations will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament before the summer.

The move takes forward the recommendation to ban single use vapes from a consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’, which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.

The draft legislation, which is open for consultation until 8 March and while separate legislation on banning the sale and supply of single use vapes will need to be introduced by each nation, the governments have worked together to agree on a date for when the ban will come into force, to provide certainty for businesses and consumers.

Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater said: “Legislating to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and take action to tackle their environmental impact.

“The public consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for tougher action on vaping. From causing fires in waste facilities to more than 26 million disposable vapes being consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the past year, single-use vapes are a threat to our environment as well as to our public health.

“These proposed changes to the law demonstrate our absolute commitment to further improve the wellbeing of communities and protecting our beautiful natural environment.”

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK Government and other nations in relation to the ban on disposable vapes, including addressing the need for any exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act through the Resources and Waste Common Framework.

Legislation raising the tobacco age of sale, will initially be taken forward via UK-wide legislation and requires a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM).

Today (Wednesday 13 March 2024) marks No Smoking Day.

This year’s focus is encouraging people to quit smoking and win in four major aspects of life:

• Quit and win with your health

• Quit and win with your family

• Quit and win with your finances

• Quit and win with your fitness

ASH Scotland also want to raise awareness about the free NHS service available to everyone in Scotland to help with quit.

Quit Your Way can provide emotional support, recommend aids to help overcome cravings and formulate an individual plan to help someone to stop smoking.

Smoking in Scotland

15% of the population in Scotland still smoke. 15%

That’s 685,25 6 people we want to encourage to quit. 685,000

Inequalities

Smoking rates in Scotland are exacerbated by social inequalities. 25% of adults in the most deprived quintile (SIMD1) smoke, compared to 7% in the least deprived quintile (SIMD5).

31% of people with a long-term mental health problem smoke, compared to 16% without.

Health

Smoking is responsible for 8,260 deaths each year, accounting for 20% of annual deaths in Scotland.

52% of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland are linked to smoking.

66% of people in Scotland who smoke report they would like to stop smoking.

These statistics are based on the most up to date figures from the Scottish Health Survey 2022, and data from the Scottish Public Health Observatory 2021.

Cost of smoking

Below is a table of savings that could be made when giving up smoking*

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) became aware very recently of the University of West of Scotland’s (UWS) decision not to accept first year entrants (2024/25) to the BSc Hons in Environmental Health with Professional Practice course.

In light of this concerning news, the Institute requested an urgent meeting with the University which was held on Tuesday 5 March where unfortunately the University confirmed their decision.  The Institute is extremely disappointed with this and understand that the University are reviewing the current structure of the course.  The University will continue to accept entrants to second year and are committed to supporting all students who are enrolled on the course. 

The Institute has given a commitment to work with UWS and other partners on this critical issue. We will endeavour to keep all members updated with progress on this.

The Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN) have published new Guidance on the management of outbreaks of foodborne illness in Scotland  version 1 and is available on the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) website.  

This document is for everyone involved in investigating and controlling foodborne outbreaks in Scotland. It serves as a reference when creating plans to manage such incidents.

As part of the Scottish Health Protection Network, Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland teamed up with a multidisciplinary group including Environmental Health Officers from local authorities and experts from Health Boards, Clinical Reference Laboratories, and Public Analyst Scientific Services to develop detailed guidance on how to manage outbreaks of foodborne illnesses in Scotland. 

This document should be referred to alongside the main guidance document on the management of public health incidents in Scotland, produced by Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Health Protection Network on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Any feedback on the guidance should be directed to phs.shpn-admin@phs.scot. 

Annual Forum 

We are delighted to advise that this year’s Annual Environmental Health Forum will be held as a hybrid event at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh on Wednesday 24 April 2024.   

We have an exciting programme planned under the theme “Resilience: Professional, Local and National Perspectives” which provides an ideal opportunity for the Environmental Health community in Scotland to connect with one another, and to enhance their knowledge, skills, and competences in all environmental health activities. 

The full programme and booking details will be published on the REHIS website very soon.  

Professional Update Events 

Plans are well underway for an exciting programme of centre events and professional updates for the year ahead.  As always, these are featured on our website in the events section. https:/event-type/rehis-events 

Southern Centre Event 

The Southern Centre is holding an online event on 22 March 2024, 0930-1230 on Swimming Pool Safety: Expert Advice for EHOs and Industry.  For more information REHIS Southern Centre Event – Swimming Pool Safety: Expert Advice for EHOs and Industry – REHIS 

Winter Journal 

The Winter edition of Environmental Health Scotland is now available in the members section of the website. 

5 March – self quitting research both events now online

ASH Scotland are hosting two online upcoming dissemination events for a research project by the University of Dundee in partnership with ASH Scotland.

Effie Marathia will present findings from her PhD research on exploring the strategies for self-quitting smoking in Scotland.

These are: 

• Exploring the strategies for self-quitting smoking in Scotland research discussion

Time: 10am to 11am

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82082819335pwd=QXk1OVdKK1c4WVh4TitOTTJ4Q1hYdz09

Meeting ID: 820 8281 9335

Passcode: 690846

• Exploring the strategies for self-quitting smoking in Scotland research presentation

Time: 1pm to 2pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89478376514pwd=dG1oY0lpK0VYU3Naa0hUMVNSK3laZz09

Meeting ID: 894 7837 6514

Passcode: 664067

Please let ASH Scotland know if you plan to attend by responding to the CEO@ashscotland.org.uk no later than 29^th February. Under ASH Scotland’s policy, those participating will be asked to confirm they have no conflicts of interest.

DEFRA has published the annual Emissions of air pollutants in the UK figures and, while the trend for most major sources of air pollution is downwards, domestic wood burning is once again under the spotlight.

The emissions covered in these figures are particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, ammonia, non-methane volatile organic compounds and sulphur dioxide.

Between 2005 and 2022 the UK met its emission reduction commitment to all the above pollutants. Shown below is the target for 2022, the reduction that was actually achieved and what that reduction needs have grown to by 2030

Ammonia: 2022 target: 8% • Achieved: 12% • 2030 target: 16%

NMVOCs: 2022 target 32% • Achieved: 44% • 2030 target: 39%

Nitrogen oxides: 2022 target 55% • Achieved: 63% reduction • 2030 target: 73%

PM2.5: 2022 target 30% • Achieved: 42% • 2030 target: 46%

Sulphur dioxide: 2022 target 59% • Achieved: 85% • 2030 target: 88%

The UK does not have emission reduction commitments for PM10. 

Nitrogen oxides (mostly from road transport and energy) and Sulphur dioxide (mostly from energy and industrial combustion) emissions have been reduced most dramatically since 2005 but the rate of reduction is slowing down notably.

Emissions from agriculture contributed 87% of total ammonia emissions in 2022  a slight increase since 2010, partly because of variations in weather conditions affecting crop planting and fertiliser use.

By 2012 NMVOC emissions (domestic solvents being the worst single source) had already been drastically reduced from their 1970 levels. Tougher regulations has seen the contribution from transport  fall from 33% in 1990 to just 4% in 2022, while emissions from Scotch whisky production have increased by 98% since 1990.

PM2.5 emissions have been falling  since 1970, thanks to the reduction in the use of coal and improved emission standards for transport but, over recent years, the rate of change has reduced. Compared to earlier decades, emission levels have been relatively steady, with small annual fluctuations.

The report observes that decreases in emissions from other sources have been largely offset by increases in emissions from domestic wood burning.

It states: ‘Domestic combustion covers households burning a variety of fuels including wood, coal, solid smokeless fuels, and fuels derived from waste such as coffee logs. This was a major source of PM emissions in 2022, as it contributed 29% of total PM2.5 emissions and 15% of total PM10 emissions.

‘Most emissions from this source come from households burning wood in stoves and open fires. The use of wood as a fuel contributed 75% of both total PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from domestic combustion in 2022.

‘Domestic combustion of wood contributed 22% of overall PM2.5 emissions and 11% of overall PM10 emissions in 2022.

‘Emissions of PM2.5 and PM10 from domestic wood burning increased by 56% between 2012 and 2022.

‘In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, coal combustion was the primary source of PM emissions from households; yet the use of coal as a fuel has fallen over time (in 2022 the combustion of coal contributed 12% of PM2.5 emissions from domestic combustion).’

The full reports can be accessed here

A new report “Growing Up in Scotland: obesity from early childhood to adolescence” has been published by Obesity Action Scotland and University of Glasgow researchers. The report makes the shocking finding that children who experienced food insecurity at a young age were 4 times more likely to experience persistent obesity from the start of Primary school up to age 14 than children who did not experience food insecurity.

After analysing data collected using the Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) cohort of children, which has followed a group of children in Scotland since they were 10 months old, the report also found that: 

• Half of GUS children were a healthy weight when measured at three time points during childhood (4, 11 and 14 years). Based on the experiences of GUS children, it is likely that at least half of Scottish children today will experience overweight or obesity by the age of 14 years.   
• The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 25% at age 4 to 37% at age 14. This was mainly driven by increases in obesity, which rose from 10% to 22%.   
• Poverty and other aspects of social disadvantage, including area deprivation, circumstances of the parent(s), food insecurity and a range of other, often co-existing factors, amplify the risk of experiencing overweight and obesity. 

A summary report Understanding childhood weight in Scotland: What can longitudinal data tell us? and the full study Growing Up in Scotland: obesity from early childhood to adolescence.

The report author Dr Anna Pearce, Research Fellow said: 

“Tackling child poverty and disadvantage in the early years is essential if we are to avoid further rises in childhood obesity and prevent widening health inequalities in future generations of adults. Food insecurity, which is far higher now than it was when the GUS children were growing up, is one area for urgent action.”

Lorraine Tulloch, Programme Lead of Obesity Action Scotland said: 

“Children trust us to do the best for them. As a nation we need to ensure they have easy and reliable access to food that can promote their health. We need to put healthy food centre stage and within everyone’s reach. 

This report highlights that the consequences of food insecurity go way beyond the short-term impact that we are all already acutely aware of. 

I hope that this report will add to the valuable evidence we have on childhood health and will provide an urgent incentive for action.  We can turn this around with brave and bold policy to tackle social disadvantage and improve food environments.”  

XL Bully dog owners are being urged to prepare for new rules which are expected to come into force on Friday 23 February – subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. 

New laws laid for consideration in Scottish Parliament will make it an offence to: 

• have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle 
• breed or breed from an XL Bully dog 
• sell an XL Bully dog 
• abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray 
• give away an XL Bully dog 

The penalties available to a court upon conviction for breach of the new safeguards are up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5,000.

The definition used for an XL Bully dog is the same as the UK Government who have produced a XL Bully conformation standard to check if a dog is an XL Bully.

This is the first stage of safeguards being introduced. The second stage will mean from 1 August 2024 it will be an offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate. Full details on the exemption applications process and the support available will be announced in the coming weeks. 

New safeguards about XL Bully dogs were announced by the Community Safety Minister on the 18 January 2024. This is a consequence of reports of dogs being moved to Scotland after controls were introduced in England and Wales. 

Local authorities have existing powers under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 to serve Dog Control Notices that set out what dog owners must do to bring their dogs under control to combat ‘out of control’ dogs at an early stage.