FSS launches food crime hotline

The Scottish Food Crime Hotline has been launched by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and independent charity Crimestoppers to give members of the public and industry a dedicated telephone line to report anonymously any suspicions of food crime.
The new free hotline number – 0800 028 7926 – will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There will also be an option to report concerns via a non traceable online form. The initiative will allow FSS’s Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) to gather vital intelligence to target those involved in criminal activities, which cost the UK food and drink industry an estimated £1.17 billion annually.
Information provided will be used to help FSS and other enforcement agencies identify and, where necessary, prosecute criminals who are defrauding and potentially endangering consumers.
The launch of the free hotline and online form is a key milestone in the development of the SFCIU, which was established in response to the 2013 report from the then minister for public health following the horsemeat incident. The unit was launched in October 2015 with a remit of improving Scotland’s capability and capacity to combat food crime through improved intelligence, investigation resources and partnership working with the police and other enforcement agencies.
Geoff Ogle, chief executive, FSS, says, “Consumers have a right to know that the food they are buying and eating is both safe and authentic. Food crime is damaging for the public and the industry, eroding trust and value.
“The launch of the free Scottish Food Crime Hotline is one of a number of steps FSS is taking to address the problem in Scotland. We hope it will raise awareness of the issue of food crime and give consumers a trusted point of contact to report concerns in complete anonymity.
“The intelligence we receive will be invaluable in advancing our work with Police Scotland and other agencies to hold to account those who put consumer safety at risk for financial gain.”