Food Standards Scotland Publishes 2026-2031 Strategy

Scotland Food Standards News

Published February 11th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

Food Standards Scotland has published its five-year strategy for 2026-2031, outlining its approach to protecting public health, promoting healthier diets, and maintaining confidence in Scotland's food system. The strategy focuses on three priorities: public health and consumer protection, evolving the regulatory landscape, and providing an effective public service.

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What changed

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has released its new five-year strategy for 2026-2031, detailing its commitment to safeguarding public health, encouraging healthier eating habits, and ensuring trust in the Scottish food system. The strategy emphasizes consumer protection from food safety risks, food crime, and the impacts of poor diet, while advocating for a proportionate and evidence-based regulatory framework. Key priorities include public health and consumer protection, regulatory evolution and reform, and delivering an effective public service.

This publication sets out FSS's strategic direction and priorities for the next five years. While it does not impose new immediate compliance obligations, it signals FSS's focus areas and potential future regulatory initiatives. Compliance officers should familiarize themselves with the strategy's priorities, particularly concerning public health nutrition, data utilization, and collaboration with stakeholders, as these may inform future FSS actions and guidance.

What to do next

Review FSS's 2026-2031 strategy for potential impacts on operations.
Note FSS's stated priorities in public health nutrition and regulatory reform.
Monitor future FSS communications for specific guidance related to the strategy.

Source document (simplified)

- News story

Food Standards Scotland publishes new five-year strategy

Date published: 11 February 2026

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has today published its Strategy for 2026–2031, setting out how the organisation will work to protect public health, promote healthier diets and maintain confidence in Scotland’s food system over the next five years.

The strategy sets out FSS’s vision for a safe, authentic and healthier food environment that Scotland can trust, and reflects its statutory role as Scotland’s independent public sector food body.

Consumers are at the centre of the strategy, which outlines how FSS will continue to protect people in Scotland from food safety risks, food crime and the impacts of poor diet, while supporting a regulatory system that is proportionate, evidence-based and trusted.

The strategy identifies three strategic priorities:

Public health and consumer protection
Evolving and reforming the regulatory landscape
Providing an effective public service for the people of Scotland It also sets out how FSS will strengthen its leadership on public health nutrition, improve the use of data and digital technologies, and work with partners across government, local authorities, industry and the public to respond to a rapidly changing food system.

Heather Kelman, Chair of the Board at Food Standards Scotland, said:

“This strategy reaffirms our commitment to protecting the interests of consumers in Scotland. People need to be able to trust that the food they eat is safe, authentic and supports good health.

“The food system continues to face significant change, from evolving trade arrangements and new technologies to the ongoing impacts of climate change and diet-related ill health. In this context, our role as an independent, evidence-based organisation is essential.

“Over the next five years, we will continue to use robust science and data to guide our decisions, strengthen food standards and support a healthier food environment for everyone in Scotland.”

The strategy builds on the foundations established since FSS was created in 2015 and reflects its continued independence from Ministers and industry, with accountability to the Scottish Parliament.

Read FSS's strategy here Did you find this helpful? We would love to hear from you. Yes No Your feedback Submit feedback Thank you for your feedback! If you like you can share this page with others:

Named provisions

Public health and consumer protection Evolving and reforming the regulatory landscape Providing an effective public service for the people of Scotland