Many different foods across all the food groups can cause mild and serious food allergies. We can help you identify risks and give you tips to keep you and your family safe, both at home and when eating out.
Food safety
From eating out and the risks of food allergies to preparing and cooking food at home, our advice helps you to learn more about food safety and hygiene from Food Standards Scotland
Food safety at home and when you’re eating out
Good hygiene practices are key to help avoid the spread of bacteria when preparing food at home. It’s also important to be careful if someone has a food allergy, intolerance or is more at risk from food poisoning.
Follow our food safety advice to help protect yourself and your family, whether you’re eating at home or out.
Preparing and cooking food safely at home
Knowing how to prepare and cook food helps keep the food you and your family eat safe. We have simple tips that will help make sure the food you cook and eat won’t do you any harm.
Eating out
We can help you make an informed choice about where you eat out or buy food with the Food Hygiene Information Scheme and Eat safe awards. Find out the hygiene rating of restaurants, cafes and takeaways near you.
Food poisoning
Food poisoning isn’t just something you get outside your home – the meals you prepare can be a source of food poisoning too. We’ve got tips and advice to make sure you’re not nibbling on any nasties.
Contaminants in food
Contaminants are things that accidently get into food. They can come from the way the food is produced, packaged or stored.
Food incidents
A food incident is where there are concerns about food or drinks being unsafe and needs something needs to be done to protect people. This could be things like poor food hygiene, a foreign object in your food, allergy risks or incorrect labels. All food incidents should be reported to your local authority environmental health department.
Food crime
It sounds serious and it is. Food crime refers to serious fraud and illegal activity in the production, processing or sale of food, feed or drink. Find out how to spot it and report it.
Novel foods
Information on what novel foods are and what laws apply to them in Scotland.
Latest news and alerts
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News
HFSS advertising restrictions: a positive step for Scotland – but not the full picture
Improving our food environment is central to supporting a healthier diet in Scotland, particularly for children and young people. That is why, after several significant delays, the introduction of further UK-wide restrictions on advertising of food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) is a welcome development.
News
Consultation on the two year provisional authorisation of four Cobalt(II) compounds for use in animal nutrition in Scotland
Food Standards Scotland are seeking stakeholder views and feedback on the two-year provisional authorisation of four Cobalt(II) compounds for use in animal nutrition in Scotland. The consultation will close on the 9 February 2026.
Alert
Sainsbury’s recalls By Sainsbury’s Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with Redcurrant Honey & Rosemary Glaze because of undeclared milk
Alert