Food crime unit established in Scotland
A new Scottish Food Crime and Incident Unit (SFCIU) is to be set up by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to tackle food fraud.
At its meeting on 16 September the FSS Board agreed the new unit will be responsible for surveillance and direction of fraud and deliberate non-compliance within the food chain.
The decision came after the recommendations of the Scudamore Expert Advisory Group in the wake of the horse meat incident.
The unit will also have the power to take enforcement action where necessary although primary responsibility for dealing with food fraud at a local level will remain with local authorities, and where serious organised crime is involved, the investigation will be referred to the police for further action.
Geoff Ogle, chief executive of FSS, says, “Since Food Standards Scotland was created as the new public food body for Scotland, we’ve been working to develop and establish the new unit. The unit is a vital and positive step in improving Scotland’s capability and capacity in relation to tackling food crime.
“Information sharing remains critical to unearthing and dealing with food fraud, and we continue to work closely with a number of partners both in Scotland and across the UK, including Police Scotland, local authorities, the Food Standards Agency, and the food industry itself.”
Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and the environment, adds, “When it comes to the food we eat we must put public safety first and foremost. Establishing the new unit sends out a clear message that food crime will not be tolerated in this country.
“We have an excellent reputation for food and drink and its important that we safeguard, promote and enhance that. Food Standards Scotland will not have specific expertise to tackle food fraud and I welcome the progress made in putting this important resource in place. This should help to reassure consumers the length and breadth of Scotland that our food is safer than ever.”
