Food safety

Food safety inspections in East Lothian

Our Environmental Health Service is responsible for inspecting local food businesses to ensure they meet national food safety laws.

These inspections help protect public health and ensure food offered to consumers is safe and accurately described.

While we have a duty to inspect and protect public health, the primary responsibility for producing safe food lies with the business owner and their staff every day.

What we check

During an inspection, our officers look at:

• how food is handled, prepared, stored, and sold
• the accuracy of information provided on labels, menus and displays
• that all ingredients used are safe and compliant with food safety standards

How inspections work

• unannounced visits - inspections take place without warning so officers can observe normal working practices
• inspection reports - after an inspection every business receives a report summarising what was discussed, any issues identified and actions required to improve or maintain standards
• support and guidance - our aim is to help businesses maintain safe standards, not to catch anyone out
• action only when needed - enforcement is only taken if there is a genuine risk to public health

Inspection scoring

After each inspection, businesses receive a score based on their level of compliance.

• highest scoring businesses will be inspected monthly
• lowest scoring businesses may be inspected every 3 years or less

This national scoring system is used by all local authorities in Scotland, and scores can increase or decrease based on conditions found at each visit. 

Serious issues may lead to additional inspections and formal action.

Enforcement powers

If serious concerns are found, officers can:

• issue notices requiring improvements
• temporarily stop a business from operating
• seize and destroy unsafe food
• report matters to the Sheriff or Crown Office for potential prosecution