Meeting of the Parliament 02 October 2014
I reassure the member that, since I got married around two and half years ago, there have certainly been fewer recyclable Johnnie Walker bottles lying about my house—that is for sure. However, he makes a serious point. Food fraud does not start with the retailer; the retailer is quite often the end point of a complex web of criminal activity around the globe. It is about traceability and accountability. I know that some retailers feel that they are perhaps being overly scrutinised, for offences elsewhere, but they have a duty to report, and if a deal is too good to be true, they should know that it is. Therefore, they cannot shirk their responsibilities, either.
I was quite surprised to find out that if there is mislabelled food or food fraud, the courts cannot step in and confiscate that food. It is easier to confiscate hooky trainers than a dodgy doner kebab. That sounds like a bizarre thing to say, but that is the case. The new law will change that. I would not like the food to be destroyed, of course. If it is safe, let us give it to homeless people and food banks. Let us put it somewhere where it can be used for benefit.
I support the scheme of fixed-penalty notices, which I think will be well received by local authorities, which at present have to prosecute criminal offences. Because of time constraints, I will not read out the full quote, but William Hamilton from Glasgow City Council’s trading standards department said that it would be “a boon” to the council to be able to use fixed-penalty notices rather than complex court proceedings.
Ministers will be able to introduce, through guidance if they choose, a mandatory food hygiene information scheme, to ensure that such information is displayed in all food outlets. I encourage that to be rolled out as soon as possible in a way that does not put a constraint on local businesses. It should be standard that, when people walk into a place where food and drink are available, they can see at a glance what level that place is operating at.
We sometimes target the end point of bad practice in food and drink systems across Scotland, Britain and Europe, so we should remember that, of course, the vast majority of food and drink producers, processors and retailers in Scotland do an outstanding job. However, the powers in the bill are necessary so that we not only maintain that standard but improve it further.
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