Scotland to have own food standards body
The Scottish Government has decided to establish a new body to oversee food safety, food standards, nutrition, food labelling and meat inspection in Scotland.
The decision was made following a recommendation by Jim Scudamore, a former UK Chief Veterinary Officer, who reviewed the feasibility of establishing such a body by the Scottish Government.
In light of the UK Government having decided to move responsibility for nutrition and food labelling in England from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to the Department of Health and Defra, Professor Scudamore recommended a new, stand-alone public body to deal with food standards, as it would "offer the best outcome for Scotland's long term interests."
Michael Matheson, public health minister in the Scottish Government, said: "A new body will allow a Scottish approach to be taken to tackle poor diet and foodborne diseases and should support our food and drink industry in growing its strong, international reputation for safe, quality food."
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