Food in Scotland Consumer Tracking Survey puts food safety in the spotlight

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has today (07 September) published the results from its third Food in Scotland Consumer Tracking Survey, showing that food hygiene at home remains a relatively low priority for people in Scotland. The survey, which was conducted between 8 and 21 December 2016, shows that only 11 out of 20 food safety behaviours are followed on average.

Around three-quarters of Scots are aware that the temperature inside a fridge should be between 0 and 5˚c, however only 46% check their fridge is at the right temperature using a thermometer. People in Scotland do adhere to some food safety behaviours, 73% of consumers wash their hands immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish, as well as 69% washing hands before starting to cook and prepare food.

However, between the first Food in Scotland Consumer Tracking Survey in December 2015 and the results from this survey there was a 4% decrease in consumers washing hands.

Consumers were also aware that they should reheat food properly, but only 53% check that food has been reheated properly. 74% of respondents agreed that they should only reheat food once.

The survey also captured awareness of the foodborne illness campylobacter, the most common form of food poisoning in the UK, with a slight drop in awareness from our first survey (33% compared to 37%).