Third of farmed fruit and vegetables deemed too ugly to sell
- 21 August 2018
More than a third of farmed fruit and vegetables never reaches supermarket shelves because it is misshapen or the wrong size, research suggests. A University of Edinburgh study found more than 50 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables grown across Europe were discarded each year. This was in part because they did not meet supermarkets […]
Fife Council introduce healthy eating vans at schools
- 21 August 2018
Fife Council have launched new fast food vans to help deliver healthy snacks for Fife’s secondary schools. The Council’s facilities management service new “Smash It” food vans will sell healthy food and drink to pupils outwith the dining room. It is hoped that the “Smash It” vans will encourage school pupils to choose a healthy […]
Hoarding classified as mental disorder for first time by World Health Organisation
- 21 August 2018
Hoarding has been classified as a medical disorder for the first time by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Hoarding as well as gaming disorder and olfactory reference disorder are now included in the International Classification of Diseases. It is here that hoarding is described as the "accumulation of possessions due to excessive acquisition of or difficulty discarding […]
Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality Remains High
- 15 August 2018
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland's latest annual report shows that Scottish Water's compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains high at 99.91%. Scottish Water take and analyse samples of drinking water from across Scotland 365 days a year. The report on Drinking Water Quality in Scotland 2017 states that a […]
Scottish protected food names under threat
- 15 August 2018
In an article, Michel Barnier, the European Commission's Chief Negotiator with the United Kingdom has said the UK Government has not yet agreed to protect ‘Geographical Indications’ (GI) such as Scotch Whisky. The Scottish Government has been pressing UK Government to agree a need for a UK GI System post-Brexit. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural […]
Babies in prams exposed to 60% more pollution than parents, says study
- 15 August 2018
Young children in prams may be exposed to up to 60% more pollution than their parents at the kerbside, a study has suggested. A study, conducted by the Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) at the University of Surrey in the Environment International journal, investigated the potential exposure of infants based on their proximity […]
Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections possibly linked to ready-to-eat food
- 15 August 2018
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have published a rapid outbreak assessment following a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Agona (S. Agona) in the European Union (EU). Overall, 147 outbreak cases have been reported by five EU countries, namely, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland and […]
Scottish Government tick awareness video
- 14 August 2018
The Scottish Government has launched a video for tick awareness. Top tips for fighting ticks can be accessed here.
Family secures damages for secondary asbestos exposure in landmark case
- 14 August 2018
A family from Paisley have been awarded £247,000 in a ground breaking legal case after losing their mother from mesothelioma caused by second-hand exposure to asbestos. This is the first time in Scotland in which a case has been successfully pursued on behalf of someone who suffered from secondary exposure to asbestos from their spouse’s […]
Scottish Green Apple Awards- Enter free today and get three for the price of one
- 14 August 2018
The Green Apple Environment Awards, which began in 1994, is an annual campaign that aims recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world. Scottish companies and projects have two chances of success, because if you apply for a Scottish Green Apple Environment Award, that entry is also submitted into the UK category of […]
Edinburgh cabbies to save hundreds of pounds a month with arrival of electric taxis
- 8 August 2018
The world’s most advanced electric taxis, designed and built in the UK, have started appearing on the streets of Edinburgh, thanks to a deal that has been signed by the city’s Union Motor Company. The electric taxi called the TX, designed by LEVC, uses eCity technology which combines a small petrol generator (known as a […]
A Healthier Future: Scotland’s Diet & Healthy Weight Delivery Plan published
- 23 July 2018
The Scottish Government has published their A Healthier Future: Scotland’s Diet & Healthy Weight Delivery Plan. The vision set out in A Healthier Future: Scotland’s Diet & Healthy Weight Delivery Plan is for a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight. As announced by the First Minister in May 2018, the delivery plan […]
