New food body for Scotland to replace Food Standards Agency
The Food (Scotland) Bill sets out objectives for the new public body that will replace the current UK organisation, the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The key aims will be to:
- Make sure food in Scotland continues to be safe
- Advise on how to improve diet and nutrition
- Be more efficient and responsive to Scottish circumstances
- Be an effective regulator supporting the Scottish food and drink industry
- Support Scotland’s food and drink policy
Focus
Public health minister Michael Matheson said: "Scotland’s new food safety body will be uniquely placed to focus on Scottish priorities and the Bill published today outlines what we will be expecting FSS to achieve.
"While Scottish businesses were not responsible for last year’s horsemeat scandal we have included extra measures in the Bill so consumers can be even more assured that targeting fraudulent behaviour throughout the food supply chain remains a high priority for us in the future.
"The body will be given specific enforcement powers to seize food that does not meet food standards or labelling rules and it will also be compulsory to report non-compliance with food standards regulations, which cover food fraud. FSS will also be tasked with advising on how we improve people’s diet and nutrition – playing a key role in progressing our vision of a healthier Scotland.
"We hope the body will be a trusted source of food safety advice to the Government, led from within Scotland and with the confidence and ambition to ensure Scottish food continues to be safe and healthy to eat."
The provisional date for the formation of the new body is April 2015.
