What data sources and methods are available that will enhance our ability to identify non-compliance and food crime?

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.

Next steps

Get in touch with [email protected]

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

ARI FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND

Related UKRI funded projects


  • 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 specifically address methods to identify non-compliance and food crime.

  • 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?

    Fully relevant as it specifically addresses food fraud/crime, risk analysis, and prevention strategies.

  • Food Fraud: A Supply Network Integrated Systems Analysis

    The aim of this research is to develop a predictive computational approach to modeling the food supply network so that the points where food adulteration can occur are identified. By identifying these points of vulnerabi...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Manchester

    Why might this be relevant?

    Fully relevant as it focuses on developing a predictive computational approach to identify points of vulnerability to food adulteration within the supply chain.

  • A holistic frameWork with Anticounterfeit and inTelligence-based technologieS that will assist food chain stakehOlders in rapidly identifying and preveNting the spread of fraudulent practices.

    WATSON provides a methodological framework combined with a set of tools and systemsthat can detect and prevent fraudulent activities throughout the whole food chain thus accelerating the deployment of transparency soluti...

    Funded by: Horizon Europe Guarantee

    Lead research organisation: WELLICS LTD

  • Cibus Analytical - Empowering the fight against food fraud

    "Food fraud costs British families £1.17billion per year according to National Food Crime Unit estimates. Due to the nature of adulteration, there are also increased food safety risks associated with consuming...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: BIA ANALYTICAL LTD