Professions regulated by Food Standards Scotland

Information on the professions that we regulate, the applications process needed to join these professions and the other requirements to practise them

Person in blue gloves and a white lab coat holding a clipboard with a chart, standing in a laboratory with a microscope, containers, and a halved lemon in the background.

We are responsible for regulating professions either directly or on behalf of Scottish Ministers to ensure food in Scotland is safe.

Slaughterer in FSS approved slaughterhouses

Retained (EU) Regulation 1099/2009 (Article 7) requires that killing of animals and related operations should only be carried out by individuals with the appropriate level of competence. This means that slaughter operations can only be carried out by a person holding a Certificate of Competence (CoC), either full or temporary.

Access Retained (EU) Regulation 1099/2009 (Article 7).

We have a legal obligation to appoint slaughterers/animal handlers in Scotland and are enabled to issue full and temporary CoCs. These certificates show the species on which the slaughterer/animal handler may perform operations, as well as the equipment they are able to use and the types of operations they may perform.

Public Analysts

Under the Food Safety Act (1990), Public Analysts in Scotland are regulated by Scottish Ministers. Public Analysts are responsible for performing chemical analyses on food to ensure businesses are complying with food safety law in Scotland.

Food Analysts

Under the Food Safety Act (1990), Food Analysts (FAs) in Scotland are regulated by Scottish Ministers. FAs are responsible for examining food as part of official controls to ensure businesses are complying with food safety law in Scotland.

Read about food safety law in Scotland.

Food Examiners

Under the Food Safety Act (1990), Food Examiners in Scotland are regulated by Scottish Ministers. Food Examiners are responsible for examining food as part of official controls to ensure businesses are complying with food safety law in Scotland.

Agricultural Analysts

As part of the Agriculture Act 1970 and the Feed (Sampling and Analysis and Pacified Undesirable Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2010, Agricultural Analysts are regulated by the Secretary of State for Scotland and appointed by Food Standards Scotland.

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