News bites

Eat Safe Award hailed a success in Scotland

Following on from the success of the Eat Safe Award in Northern Ireland, the Eat Safe Award scheme was launched in Scotland on 20th January 2005. The launch followed discussions between the Food Standards Agency Scotland, the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health of Scotland, the Scottish Food Advisory Committee, and Scottish Local Authorities.

The Eat Safe Award Scheme aims to promote excellence in food hygiene, increase transparency in hygiene standards in food premises, improve public confidence and consumer choice, and promote food safety management systems.

The Eat Safe Award Scheme provides an incentive to caterers to strive for standards beyond those required by law, and help consumers make informed choices about where to eat out in Scotland and Northern Ireland by providing a recognisable 'sign' of excellence in standards of food hygiene.

The Award was initially limited to catering operations to which the public had access but as of 2006, the scope has opened up to include all catering businesses. The issue and control of Eat Safe Award certificates is through local authorities. The certificates are reviewed at every planned food hygiene inspection.

A multi-sectoral stakeholder group known as the Eat Safe Award Implementation Group (ESAIG) advises on the development of the scheme. The group consists of representatives from the enforcement community, the relevant consumer councils, the catering sector and representatives of the Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Eat Safe Award scheme has continued to go from strength to strength in Scotland during 2007, with a number of landmark awards being presented to establishments across the country.

Earlier in the year, the Abbey Carrick Glen Hospital, in Ayr - which offers a wide range of surgical and medical specialities - became the 250th establishment to receive the award.

Then in March 2007, The Riverbank Resource Centre, Forthview, Stirling - which provides a range of services and support for adults with a range of disabilities - was announced as the 300th recipient.

More recently, the 350th award was presented to Ettrick Bay Tearoom, in Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute.

Marion McArthur, Head of Food Law Enforcement Branch, Food Standards Agency Scotland, is delighted about the landmark awards which were presented during the first half of 2007.

She said, "Awareness of the Eat Safe scheme continues to grow throughout Scotland, and I believe that as more awards are presented, they will act as further encouragement to other catering establishments across the country to strive for high standards in food hygiene and safety.

"I am confident that in the coming weeks and months further landmark awards will be made and Eat Safe will soon reach the '500th award' in Scotland."

The number of awards issued in Scotland up to the end of October stands at around 370.

To find out more, go to www.eatsafe.gov.uk.

Table talk

Read what award holders have said about the healthyliving award:

"It is a fantastic scheme for making customers aware of the benefits of eating healthily."

Paul B Cowley, Chef Manager, Sheraton Grand Hotel Staff Canteen, Edinburgh

"The award means a great deal to the catering staff as they are proud of the food they serve."

Muriel Leith, Support Services Manager, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

"All the materials supplied were easy to use and understand, but were full of information"

Andrew Morgan, Food Service Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland, Fettes Row, Edinburgh

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issue four: October 2007
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The healthyliving awardNHS Health Scotland - Scotland's health improvement agencyHealthier Scotland - Scottish GovernmentHealthier Scotland - Scottish Government