What are the external factors (e.g. societal, economic, political, environmental) that are likely to have an impact on the extent to which food businesses in Scotland are able or motivated to comply with food law?
Background
As a regulator it is critical that FSS has a current evidence base on the factors that enable and encourage Scotland’s food businesses to adhere to legal requirements and the barriers which prevent them from complying with food law. This includes an understanding of the extent to which different sectors are aware of the legislation that applies to them, their access to guidance, the company policies and behaviours which promote a positive food culture and the behaviours and attitudes that prevent compliance. In parallel, it is also important for us to ensure that our methods for regulating food safety and standards remain fit for purpose and can keep pace with changes to Scotland’s food chain and the wider policy landscape. This relies on having up to date knowledge of the challenges faced by enforcement authorities when delivering food law, and the sanctions, interventions and support mechanisms that are most effective in driving compliance. One of the priorities for FSS's 2026-31 is to reform and modernise Scotland’s food law delivery system, and this research theme will enable us to build the evidence base we need to regulate our food system in the most effective and efficient way possible to maximise consumer protection, enable responsible food businesses to succeed, and ensure best use of public resources.
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Source
This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:
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Related UKRI funded projects
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Effective Enforcement and Risk
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is determined to achieve more risk-based enforcement in the enforcement of food regulation. For this purpose the project aims to improve the evidence on enforcement and risk within the foo...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on enforcement and risk within the food sector, but does not directly address external factors impacting compliance with food law in Scotland.
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Supporting interventions for healthier catering: tools and resources for SMEs in the independent fast food sector
This project builds on research on the independent fast food sector in London which has explored the potential for businesses to adopt healthier menus and catering practices and the effectiveness of healthier catering in...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: London Metropolitan University
Why might this be relevant?
Fully relevant as it specifically addresses the factors influencing food businesses in adopting healthier practices, including societal and economic factors.
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Analyses of Food Supply Chains for Risks and Resilience to Food Fraud/Crime
As food supply chains have become increasingly global and complex, new and challenging risks have emerged. One of the risks gaining attention from industry, governments, regulatory bodies and consumer organisations is fo...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: Queen's University Belfast
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on food fraud in supply chains, which indirectly impacts compliance with food law, but does not directly address the external factors in Scotland.