The Small and Micro Food Business Operator (FBO) Tracking Survey monitors the perceptions, experiences, and regulatory awareness of small and micro food businesses. The 2025 wave marks the fifth iteration of the study in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the first to include Scottish FBOs, enabling Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to gather dedicated insights. The research aims to deepen understanding of regulatory attitudes, assess trust in FSS as a modern and accountable regulator, and explore how businesses operate within the wider food safety system.
The study was conducted by IFF Research. Fieldwork consisted of structured telephone interviews with a sample of 150 small and micro FBOs operating in Scotland. Interviews were carried out with respondents responsible for food safety within their businesses, covering a broad mix of sectors, Food Hygiene Information Scheme ratings, and business sizes. The achieved sample was weighted to reflect the underlying population of eligible Scottish FBOs.