FSS launches new online tool to protect businesses from food crime
- 23 August 2023
Food and drink businesses are being urged to sign up to an online tool which may help prevent them becoming a victim of food crime. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has launched its Food Crime Risk Profiling Tool, an online programme which allows companies to assess their vulnerabilities to criminality. Using the tool allows businesses to […]
A new deal with local government
- 22 August 2023
A landmark agreement to forge a stronger partnership between local and national government has been signed by First Minister Humza Yousaf and COSLA President Shona Morrison. The Verity House Agreement sets out principles for working together to empower local communities, tackle poverty, transform the economy and provide high-quality public services. It includes commitments to: The […]
New industry guidance issued on glycerol in slush-ice drinks
- 16 August 2023
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued new voluntary industry guidance on glycerol in slush-ice drinks, advising that they should not be sold to children four years of age and under. Manufacturers are being advised to tell retailers that they should not offer free refill promotions to under-10s, to prevent […]
Slight increase in Legionnaires’ disease incidence in Scotland in 2022
- 16 August 2023
Public Health Scotland has published the first presentation of Scottish Legionnaires’ disease data since the COVID-19 pandemic, covering the years 2017 to 2022, which shows a slight increase in cases and incidence in the most recent year. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria, which can be acquired if tiny […]
Food Standards Scotland publish report on consumption of discretionary foods and drinks
- 16 August 2023
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has published a new report on ‘Consumption of foods and drinks considered within policy proposals for the restriction of HFSS promotions in adults (16+ yr) living in Scotland’. The report is available on the FSS website. This report presents an analysis of data from the 2021 Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) and provides […]
FSS and FSA issue updated advice to higher risk consumers on ready to eat cold-smoked and cured fish following publication of a risk assessment
- 1 August 2023
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are advising pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system to avoid eating ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish, following publication of a risk assessment showing they are at higher risk of severe illness from listeriosis. Products include smoked salmon, smoked trout and gravlax. As the […]
“Scotland Facing Chronic Shortage of Health Officers as Councils Struggle to Recruit” – Response from REHIS
- 26 July 2023
In response to the recent article in the Daily Record on 24 July 2023, The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, often referred to by the acronym REHIS, is the Professional Institute for Environmental Health in Scotland, responded as follows. The delivery of the Environmental Health Service in Scotland lies primarily with Scotland’s local authorities […]
REHIS News – July 2023
- 24 July 2023
Health and Safety Update Final arrangements are being made for the online Health and Safety Update on Wednesday 6 September. The agenda and booking form will shortly be available on the website. Professional Examinations Plans are fully underway for the next diet of professional interviews, which will be at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline on 26 […]
Minimum unit pricing reduces alcohol-related harm to health
- 24 July 2023
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has today published the final report on the independent evaluation of the impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland. Evidence shows that MUP has had a positive impact on health outcomes, including addressing alcohol-related health inequalities. It has reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol consumption by an estimated 13.4% and […]
Scottish businesses awarded funding to make their recipes healthier
- 24 July 2023
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland – in partnership with Food Standards Scotland (FSS) – has provided funding to 13 well-known Scottish bakery businesses across the country to help them make their products healthier. Much-loved brands Aulds Delicious Desserts, Cobbs Bakery, Dean’s of Huntly, Stoats and Stockan’s Oatcakes have been awarded funding. While a whole […]
Scottish Government publish results of public engagement on air quality
- 23 July 2023
During September last year, 1,520 people over the age of 16 in Scotland were questioned about a variety of issues relating to air quality: awareness of air pollution; understanding of the impacts of it; level of concern about it; perceptions of the role that individuals and organisations can play in tackling poor air quality; and […]
Scottish Government published new strategy to tackle litter and flytipping
- 23 July 2023
Fines for flytipping will be more than doubled as part of a range of new measures to prevent litter and flytipping and support Scotland’s circular economy. A new six-year National Litter and Flytipping Strategy sets out how national and local government, business, third sector, communities and individuals can work together to drive behaviour change, improve […]
