REHIS News

Food Standards Scotland have updated its guidance for food business operators (FBOs) and their employees on 28 August. It aims to assist all businesses in the food and drink sector in following government guidance on infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19.

Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government has kindly contributed a video response for our first in the series of articles titled COVID Diaries. 

Professor Jason Leitch discusses his work during the pandemic and also gives an insight into the importance that Environmental Health has played during the pandemic and has to play on an ongoing basis.

Former Chief Executive, Tom Bell is delighted to inform you that, following interview, Jackie McCabe has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of the Institute. Jackie will take up her new post from 1 September 2020.

Congratulations to Jackie, we wish her all the best in her new role.

Please see below resources for the COVID-19 pandemic:

Legislation

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 - identify categories of business which still require to remain closed and outline physical distancing requirements for those permitted to trade. Officers of Environmental Health are authorised officers under the regulation.

Environmental Health Officers have been involved with helping contain a number of coronavirus clusters across Scotland.

They have been supporting Incident management teams, providing support and guidance to businesses to make sure they comply with regulations, contacting premises who have had a confirmed case as well taking a central role on the Test and Protect approach.

Following reports of recent clusters indoor hospitality settings such as bars and restaurant, the First Minister has announced new legislation for local authorities to be given the power to act in respect of individual, specific premises that are breaching guidelines and risking transmission of the virus.

In addition, the Scottish Government intends to give the police new powers to break up and disperse large indoor gatherings.

Regulations will be laid next week with the intention they come into force on Friday 28 August.

On 18 August 2020, Health Protection Scotland (HPS), part of Public Health Scotland (PHS), published provisional information on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157/STEC infection for Scotland for 2019. The information is compared to previous years’ data to show trends over time. 

In key points from the report: 

An occupational health expert is calling for a major review of workplace health and safety in Scotland following “failings” revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Views are being sought from consumers, health professionals and the food and drink industry as part of a UK-wide consultation on front of pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL).

The UK Government want your views on making sure the 'traffic light' front-of-pack nutrition labels (FOPNL) scheme continues to help people choose what food and drink to buy.

The UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence carried out Research into Private Rented Sector Legislation across the UK and has published a report and two briefing papers, one policy briefing and one practice briefing, summarising the key findings and making recomm