Scotland launched the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on April 1, 2015. FSS is Scotland’s public sector food agency that took over responsibilities previously carried out by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).
In 2010, United Kingdom government had transferred the responsibility for nutrition and food labeling standards in England from the FSA to the Department of Health and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England. Subsequently, Scotland pursued an independent review to assess the feasibility of establishing a “stand-alone food body in Scotland.” Based on this review, in June of 2012, Scottish Ministers announced that they intended to create the new food body for Scotland. In August of 2013, FSA Board provided Scottish ministers with comments and recommendations based on earlier public input on the proposed scope and responsibilities of the new Scottish food body. In September of 2013, Scotland’s First Minister unveiled the Food Standards (Scotland) Bill.
The FSS is intended to remain independent from the government to work in the interests of consumers, focusing on Scotland’s food safety, food standards, nutrition, food labelling, and meat inspection policy and operational delivery.
