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Food Law in Scotland

This document has been produced with the aim of providing information and guidance on most areas relating to food law. Whilst it outlines the main provisions of food legislation, it should not be relied upon as authoritative. Expert advice can be sought from your local authority. It may be necessary to seek independent legal advice.

Introduction

In general the legislation listed in this guide applies only to Scotland. Similar legislation applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

However, the Food Safety Act 1990, and regulations made under it between 1990 and June 1999, apply to Great Britain unless otherwise stated. Generally speaking, regulations made since 1999 only apply to Scotland, although on occasion GB wide regulations have been made, for example as part of the implementation of Regulation 178/2002.

The Food Standards Agency became operational on 3 April 2000 in accordance with the Food Standards Act 1999 and the Commencement Orders – The Food Standards Act 1999 (Commencement No 1) Order 2000 and Food Standards Act 1999 (Commencement No 2) Order 2000.

Consequently, and in pursuance of The Food Standards Act 1999 (Transitional and Consequential Provisions and Savings) (Scotland) Regulations 2000, functions and powers in relation to food safety consumer protection and animal feed which were hitherto exercised by the Scottish Ministers are now the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.

The guide provides contact details for further information at the end of each section.

These notes are intended only as a general guide.

For definitive information the appropriate Act, Order, Regulation or Code of Practice should be consulted.

Independent legal advice is recommended.

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The Food Law Guide

The full guide is available below as a pdf document or in individual sections as webpages with links to the OPSI site for details of the individual (Scottish) Statutory Instruments.

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Legislation in this document

Copies of the legislation referred to in this document may be obtained from:
The Stationery Office Bookshop*
71 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AZ

Tel: 0131-228-4181

or

The Stationery Office Publications Centre*
PO Box 276
London
SW8 5DT

Tel: 0870-600-5522

* Previously called Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO)

The legislation can be obtained from the (External) OPSI website .

Copies may also be obtained from The Stationery Office Bookshops listed below or through booksellers:

Note: Some of the Regulations listed may not be available from The Stationery Office Bookshops because they are amending Regulations, which have been revoked. These Regulations have been included only if their effects are still in force. However it may be possible to obtain copies of revoked legislation from good reference libraries.

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Enquiries

Enquiries relating to enforcement of legislation should be addressed to:
Food Standards Agency Scotland
Local Authority Enforcement Branch
6th Floor
St Magnus House
25 Guild Street
Aberdeen
AB11 6NJ

Tel: 01224 285189

This document is issued by:
Food Standards Agency Scotland
6th Floor
St. Magnus House
25 Guild Street
Aberdeen
AB11 6NJ

Tel: 01224 285100
Fax: 01224 285168

As we are unable to produce large numbers of multiple copies of this publication for interested organisations, Crown Copyright has been waived. You are therefore free to copy this publication within your organisation and to anyone else who may need it. We acknowledge the help and co-operation of SEERAD, Departments of Trade and Industry and HM Customs and Excise in making this list available.

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Related links

Food Law in Scotland Updated 2005

Download pdf  (pdf 187KB)

Find out more

Regulation (EC) No 178/2002

Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety.

Food Safety Act 1990 (Scotland)

The main provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 came into force on 1 January 1991. The Act covers Great Britain and provides the framework for all its food legislation.

Food Labelling and the Marking of Food Regulations (Scotland)

Food Labelling and the Marking of Food

Regulations on the Composition and Labelling of Particular Foods (Scotland)

Regulations on the Composition and Labelling of Particular Foods

Regulations Dealing with the Chemical Safety of Food (Scotland)

Regulations Dealing with the Chemical Safety of Food

Eggs and Poultry Regulations (Scotland)

Eggs and Poultry

Other Legislation Indirectly Affecting Food (Scotland)

Other Legislation Indirectly Affecting Food

Other Primary Legislation Providing Regulations Affecting Food (Scotland)

Other Primary Legislation Providing Regulations Affecting Food

Food Control Regulations (Scotland)

Food Control Regulations

Food Protection in an Emergency Regulations (Scotland)

Food Protection in an Emergency

Novel Foods/Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations (Scotland)

Novel Foods/Genetically Modified Organisms

Hygiene Legislation Regulations (Scotland)

Hygiene Legislation

Marketing Standards - Descriptions and Designations Regulations (Scotland)

Marketing Standards - Descriptions and Designations

Weights and Measures Legislation (Scotland)

The Weights And Measures Act 1985

See also

Food Law Guide (External) Get Adobe Acrobat reader You may need the free Acrobat Reader to view a pdf

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