Experiences and perceptions of FSS
This chapter covers awareness and knowledge of FSS and businesses’ contact with them over the past 12 months. It examines how small and micro businesses rate these interactions in terms of trustworthiness, ease, approachability, and clarity, and explores their confidence in FSS to deliver effectively across key areas of food safety and standards. The chapter will also explore perceptions of food standards and regulations.
Awareness and knowledge of FSS
Most FBOs were aware of FSS (84%), as shown in Figure 1. However, most did not know much about FSS, with over seven in ten (72%) saying they only knew a little about FSS or had only heard of them, and 6% saying that they have never heard of them. Only a minority (12%) reported knowing a lot about FSS.
Figure 1. Business awareness of FSS
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing 12% know a lot about FSS, 44% know a little, 27 have heard of FSS, 11% only heard of FSS through the survey and 4% had never heard of FSS. In summary 84% were aware of FSS.
Please find more information provided in the detailed description and/or table below.
Bar chart showing 12% know a lot about FSS, 44% know a little, 27 have heard of FSS, 11% only heard of FSS through the survey and 4% had never heard of FSS.
In summary 84% were aware of FSS.
C13. How much, if anything, do you know about Food Standards Scotland (FSS)? Base: All businesses (150).
Contact with FSS
Those who had heard of FSS were asked whether they had had any interactions or contact with FSS in the last 12 months. Less than one-in-five businesses who had heard of FSS had some form of contact with them in the last 12 months (17%). Businesses that sold food or drink as a meal or takeaway were more likely to have had contact (22%).
Businesses were then asked if they had been in contact with FSS in the last 12 months and through what form of communication they did so. Four in five businesses had not contacted FSS in the last 12 months (80%) with just under a fifth having visited the FSS’s website (17%). Only 1 individual that had heard of FSS had called the helpline.
Ratings of contact with FSS
Businesses were asked to rate FSS based on their experiences of contacting them. It should be noted that there was a low number of businesses that were asked this question owing to the low proportion of businesses that had contacted the FSS (25). Most businesses rated FSS high for ease of use or access (23 out of 25), trustworthiness (22 out of 25), clarity of communication (21 out of 25) and approachability (21 out of 25). FSS did not receive any low ratings, except from for approachability, where 1 individual rated FSS as low.
Confidence in the FSS
Businesses that had heard of FSS were asked to rate their agreement to a series of statements about FSS achieving certain goals. Overall confidence was high, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Businesses’ confidence in FSS to achieve its goals
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing business confidence in FSS achieving its goals. 40% were very confident and 50% were fairly confident that FSS works hard to ensure that food safety and standards are maintained and improved within the food industry. In summary, 90% of FBOs were confident in this statement. 44% were very confident and 43% were fairly confident that FSS can be trusted to use any information you give them appropriately. In summary, 87% of FBOs were confident in this statement. 44% were very confident and 40% were fairly confident that FSS is good at identifying where poor standards exist and takes appropriate action.In summary, 84% of FBOs were confident in this statement. 34% were very confident and 47% were fairly confident that FSS effectively communicates and promotes regulations within the food industry. In summary, 81% were confident in this statement. 36% were very confident and 44% were fairly confident that that FSS understands the needs of businesses like theirs. In summary, 80% were confident.
Please find more information provided in the detailed description and/or table below.
Bar chart showing business confidence in FSS achieving its goals.
40% were very confident and 50% were fairly confident that FSS works hard to ensure that food safety and standards are maintained and improved within the food industry. In summary, 90% of FBOs were confident in this statement.
44% were very confident and 43% were fairly confident that FSS can be trusted to use any information you give them appropriately. In summary, 87% of FBOs were confident in this statement.
44% were very confident and 40% were fairly confident that FSS is good at identifying where poor standards exist and takes appropriate action.In summary, 84% of FBOs were confident in this statement.
34% were very confident and 47% were fairly confident that FSS effectively communicates and promotes regulations within the food industry. In summary, 81% were confident in this statement.
36% were very confident and 44% were fairly confident that that FSS understands the needs of businesses like theirs. In summary, 80% were confident.
C16. How confident are you that FSS…? Base: Businesses that have heard of FSS (130).
Nine-in-ten businesses were confident that FSS works hard to ensure that food safety and standards are maintained and improved (90%). Businesses that had not had a food hygiene inspection in the last 12 months were less confident that FSS works hard to maintain food safety and standards (84% vs 95% of those that had an inspection).
Although confidence was high among businesses that FSS understands the needs of businesses like theirs (80%), 15% of businesses were not confident in this statement. Businesses that trade online were less likely to be confident that FSS understands their needs than businesses that do not trade online (68% vs 85%). Conversely, businesses that trade online were also less likely to be confident that FSS effectively communicates and promotes regulations within the food industry (70% vs 85% of those that do not trade online).
Confidence in food safety standards and regulations
Businesses were asked the extent to which they agreed with a series of statements regarding food safety or hygiene standards and regulations, as shown in Figure 3. Almost all businesses (98%) agreed that food safety regulations are effective at protecting the public from food related risks. Most businesses also agreed that the regulations are reasonable and practical to comply with (88%) and that they support improvement in low performing food businesses (86%). Over three-quarters (78%) of businesses agreed that food safety standards and regulations add value to their business.
Businesses that had a food hygiene or standards inspection in the last 12 months were more likely to agree that food safety standards or regulations add value to their business than those that had not had an inspection (86% vs 69% respectively). Agreement with this statement was also more likely among businesses in the food and beverage service sector (87%).
Figure 3. Agreement with statements regarding food safety or hygiene standards and regulations
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing confidence in food safety standards and regulations. The chart shows that 98% agreed that food safety regulations are effective at protecting the public from food related risks. 88% of businesses agreed that the regulations are reasonable and practical to comply with. 86% agreed hat they support improvement in low performing food businesses.78% of businesses agreed that food safety standards and regulations add value to their business
Please find more information provided in the detailed description and/or table below.
Bar chart showing confidence in food safety standards and regulations.
The chart shows that 98% agreed that food safety regulations are effective at protecting the public from food related risks. 88% of businesses agreed that the regulations are reasonable and practical to comply with. 86% agreed hat they support improvement in low performing food businesses.78% of businesses agreed that food safety standards and regulations add value to their business
C1. To what extent would you agree or disagree that food safety/hygiene standards and regulations… Base: All businesses (150).