Foreword from CEO of Food Standards Scotland
I am pleased to introduce our Equality Mainstreaming Report for 2026. This report reflects not only the statutory responsibilities we hold as a public body, but our deep and continued commitment to fairness, inclusion, and the wellbeing of everyone who works with and relies upon us.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a unique and privileged role in Scotland. We operate independently from the Scottish Government to provide robust, evidence‑based advice that protects public health and supports a safe, healthy, and sustainable food environment for all. To fulfil this mission effectively, our organisation must itself embody the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). These principles are not separate from the work we do—they are integral to it.
During the reporting period, we launched our People Strategy with EDI flowing through each of our four People Pillars. To ensure we remain accountable to our Equality Outcomes, we established an EDI working group.
We published our first Accessibility and Inclusive Communications plan in 2024. This sets out how we will improve the accessibility and inclusivity of our guidance and information relating to healthy eating and food safety. The plan details our goals and actions for the future, helping us expand our accessibility communication practices. A significant project I want to highlight is the launch of our new Food Standards Scotland website. The website now meets WCAG 2.2 standards, ensuring inclusive access to all users, as well as an improved user experience with a clearer site structure.
We can’t do any of our work without our people and I’m proud of my colleagues continued enthusiasm to get involved with our EDI initiatives. Be that through attendance at our bi-annual in person EDI conferences, signing up to be a Mental Health First Aiders, or offering an insight into their own experiences by writing blogs for our internal website, Saltire. A favourite of mine was a brilliant blog by one of our science colleagues on her experience as an unpaid carer.
Looking ahead, our new equality outcomes for 2026–2030 set an ambitious and forward‑looking direction for FSS. They align with our organisational strategy and our values of being inclusive, independent, evidence‑based, and trusted. These outcomes will guide us as we strengthen representation, enhance accessibility, deepen understanding through improved data, and continue shaping a culture in which every colleague feels valued, respected, and empowered.
I am grateful to everyone across FSS who contributes to this commitment each day, and I look forward to the progress we will achieve together in the years ahead.