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.

A waiter in an apron taking a food order from a customer seated at a table in a restaurant, while another customer looks at a menu

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.

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Food allergies

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.

All about food allergies
Small cakes with nuts on top, made with dairy

Preparing 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.

Food safety at home
Person cooking coluorful vegetables in a frying pan on a modern stovetop.

Eating out

Find clear information about food businesses’ hygiene standards and advice on eating out for people with allergies to help you make an informed decision about where to eat.

Eating out of home
Mum, dad and toddler sitting at a restaurant table.

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.

What causes food poisoning
Digital illustration depicting bacteria against a dark background.

Contaminants in food

Contaminants are things that accidently get into food. They can come from the way the food is produced, packaged or stored.

Preventing food contaminants
Female researcher looking through a microscope

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.

Find out more about food incidents
Food processing line in a factory with conveyor belts transporting and sorting raspberries and blackberries via metal chutes.

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.

Find out about food crime
Rows of glass bottles containing clear alcoholic spirits with red caps

Novel foods

Information on what novel foods are and what laws apply to them in Scotland.

Find out what foods are classed as 'Novel'
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Buying food on social media

Thinking about buying food on social media? Read these tips to keep you and your family safe

Consumer advice
A woman looking through a food delivery platform on her smartphone
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