The SAFER programme is Food Standards Scotland’s (FSS) strategic response to the risks that surround the food law delivery model in Scotland.
It supports Ministerial commitments to wider public service reform and is a programme of reform to secure improved public health outcomes through model redesign, developing and embracing new and more efficient ways of working, better use of data and digital technologies, and ensuring financial sustainability.
The vision statement and objectives of SAFER are listed below.
SAFER vision statement
To reform and modernise the delivery of food law in Scotland to ensure safe and authentic food for consumers by:
- creating a delivery system that is sustainably resourced
- being intelligence-led, risk-focused and assurance-driven
- harnessing data and digital technologies to improve compliance
- driving efficiency and effectiveness across the system
SAFER objectives
- Review and reform the food law delivery model for Scotland, benchmarked against leading international approaches to ensure ambition and best practice.
- Develop options to sustainably fund delivery of official controls and consider a transparent and proportionate cost recovery system.
- Explore innovative regulatory strategies for reform, focused on risk, assurance, increased efficiency, and measurable public health outcomes.
- Utilise new technologies to support food safety professionals, incentivise business compliance, and enhance consumer protection
SAFER is governed by a multi-disciplinary programme board. The membership consists of:
- FSS
- food law professionals
- government officials
- food business representatives
- other regulators and key public delivery bodies
Read the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the SAFER programme board.