Food crime guidance for businesses

Food crime is a risk to public health and to the global reputation and economy of the Scottish food and drink industry. Although it is recognised that the UK is an extremely safe food environment, no supply chain is immune to the potential threat that food crime poses.  

Food crime involves the intentional selling of food and drink that is not ‘what it says on the label’ and /or is not safe for human consumption, which can include the following examples:

• falsely claims the country of origin of the product, e.g. foreign meat being labelled as Scotch
• false claims it is organic, free range, the ingredients used, or the benefits, etc
• the diversion of animal by products waste (ABP) into the human food chain
• the illicit production and sale of alcohol, which is labelled (counterfeited) as another brand

Poor hygiene practices in a food business is not classed as food crime. If you have concerns about food safety or hygiene these should be reported to your local authority.

The Food Crime Team at the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) within Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is committed to protecting responsible businesses and the premium quality food and drinks you produce. 

If you believe your business has been the victim or you have information regarding suspicions of food crime, whether as a food business operator or an employee within the food and drink industry, take the time to report it by providing as much detail as you can so we can target those involved. 

To report suspected crime:

• call the free and anonymous Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926  
• contact us online
• speak directly in confidence with one of the Food Crime Intelligence Officers at foodcrime@fss.scot. 

Crimestoppers host the online form and Hotline. They're a widely respected and independent charity which, for many years, has been the link between members of the public and industry wishing to anonymously report their concerns to law enforcement agencies.

The information you provide, no matter how insignificant you may believe it to be, could be key to dismantling and bringing to justice those involved in Food Crime and those who could damage the reputation of your business.

The Hotline has allowed us to gather vital intelligence to target those involved in food-related criminal activities. It just takes one call or report via our online form to report criminal activity, which is potentially causing great economic cost, or worse posing a risk to public health.