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.
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
FSS supports the “Bang in Some Beans” campaign
We’re pleased to support The Food Foundation’s Bang in Some Beans campaign which aims to double UK bean consumption by 2028. Whether it's baked beans, lentils, chickpeas, or kidney beans, these little powerhouses are packed with goodness. They’re planet-friendly too, so go ahead and bang in some beans!
Alert
MOMA Foods recalls various porridge pots and sachets due to possible mouse contamination
MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachets products due to possible mouse contamination at the manufacturing site.
Alert
Walkers recalls Walkers Hot Honey Crisps 6 pack because of undeclared milk
News
Future foods that could transform UK plates by 2035
A new report released today by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) identifies the innovative food technologies most likely to reach the UK public within 10 years.