To enable risk assessment and management in relation to food safety, an understanding of consumer knowledge, behaviours, preferences and attitudes are essential. We fund a broad range of consumer research to support our activities.
Evaluation of the Food Law Rating System
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) commissioned IFF Research to conduct an evaluation of the Food Law Rating System (FLRS). The FLRS was introduced in Scotland as part of the Interventions Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) 2019. The FLRS combines the rating systems for food hygiene and food standards by which food businesses and food producers are assessed into one regime based upon a new Food Business Performance Model.
This evaluation set out to understand if the FLRS has achieved what it was designed to deliver and to uncover lessons learned, with a view to informing future development of the food law enforcement delivery model. Qualitative interviews took place with authorised food officers in all 32 Scottish local authorities and 8 stakeholders (including current and former FSS staff as well as representatives of industry and professional bodies). Interviews took place between February and April 2024 and examined:
- awareness and understanding of FLRS
- implementation of FLRS
- impact of FLRS
Evaluation of the Food Law Rating System
Pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) consumer research
This research focuses on legislation that requires foods that are pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) to clearly display the name of the food and a full ingredients list with the 14 regulated allergens emphasised within the list. The legislation was implemented in October 2021. FSS commissioned JRS to carry out qualitative research with consumers with food allergies and intolerances and parents of children with food allergies and intolerances. The research explores:
- food issues and the impact on participants lives
- understanding and behaviour around PPDS foods
- awareness and understanding of the new legislation on PPDS foods
- impact of PPDS labelling requirements on participants’ lives
This research is linked to a joint project conducted by FSS and FSA which evaluated the same legislation from the experience of local authorities and food business operators across the UK. This included consumers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.