County nears bottom of food safety study

An investigation has revealed Perth and Kinross is in the bottom 10% of the UK for food safety.

Perth and Kinross was ranked 371 out of the 386 local authorities across the UK by watchdog Which?, with 78.5% of premises being rated as‘at risk’, and 97.9% having planned interventions by Perth and Kinross Council.

The study also stated a 75.6% of ‘medium’to‘high risk’premises in the area are compliant with food regulations.

The premises identified as‘high risk’are based on the type of food served, the type of consumers at risk, how they handle and process food, and staff confidence in managemental.

The study published on Saturday, March 25, ranked the local authorities according to the proportion of‘medium’to‘high risk’ premises meeting hygiene requirements, the proportion of total premises in the area rated for risk, and the proportion of planned interventions such as inspections of follow-up action by councils. The data was supplied by Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

The investigation’s report pointed out it is the responsibility of businesses to make sure they are meeting hygiene standards, but it is also the job of the councils to enforce compliance, overseen by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council dismissed any risks to the public, saying:“Perth and Kinross Council robustly inspect and assess food premises, providing written advice and guidance on what must be improved in order to achieve a pass. The council does not accept that the database was designed to rank authorities in the way suggested. Many noncompliances used to achieve this‘ranking’ are often technical in nature which in no way puts the public at risk.”

Which? say local authority budget cuts, complicated international food supply chains, and an increase in food crime, make it more difficult to enforce good food hygiene.

A number of other local authorities in Scotland joined Perth and Kinross in the UK’s bottom 10%, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Moray, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk.

Which? say leaving the EU means there will need to be a new approach to food standards in Scotland, which will require more resources.

Managing director of home services, Alex Neill, said:“As we prepare to leave the EU, the government and regulators need to make sure there is a robust, independent system of enforcement in place to give people confidence that the food they’re eating is hygienic.”