An audit of local authorities in Scotland has found an inconsistent approach to official controls and not enough unannounced inspections.
The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) audit examined the organization, planning, coordination, implementation and delivery of official controls at approved establishments.
The project was carried out between May 2024 and January 2025 at seven of the 32 local authorities.
Applicable regulations require that official controls are performed without prior warning, except where it is judged necessary. In all local authorities audited, inspections were carried out with notice given to the food business operator. The reason given to auditors was the need for key technical personnel from the company to be available and for access to records and paperwork.
Approvals and sampling
In 2020, FSS introduced guidance called Official Control Verification (OCV). This guidance changed the frequency of interventions in establishments. All businesses, irrespective of approval type, risk or level of compliance are now subject to a 12-month inspection cycle, increasing the demand on government resources.
The shift away from a calculated risk rating has removed the ability to assess and demonstrate both compliance and risk levels at approved establishments. Auditors said the current approach does not allow FSS to identify or monitor risk and compliance levels across Scotland.
The inconsistent approach to official controls was primarily due to the guidance, which most authorities are still in the early stages of implementing, using varying resources.
Conditional approval shall not exceed six months, except for factory and freezer vessels where it is 12 months. In three authorities audited, six establishments had conditional approval periods exceeding the timeframe permitted by the regulations. Some of these sites were on the UK national and international exporting lists. FSS contacted the relevant authorities requesting them to address this issue.
All but one authority had taken a mix of microbiological, chemical, and environmental samples from establishments in the last six months. All authorities had a sampling program in place but they were of varying quality.
In five local authorities, the list of approved establishments submitted as part of the audit did not match the list available on the Scottish National Database. Many had sites that were closed but were still showing as active on the database used by FSS.
Vodka warning
Food Standards Scotland has also issued another public health warning after the recent seizure of counterfeit vodka containing the chemical isopropyl, which can be harmful if consumed.
The counterfeit vodka was sold in 35cl bottles and fraudulently labeled as Glen’s. When opened, the drink may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka. The scale of distribution of the fake product is unknown.
The agency previously warned about fake Glen’s vodka in August 2024.
Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.
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