Environmental Health

Food Sampling

What is Food Sampling?

This division takes a wide range of food products for various types of analysis. The samples can be taken formally or informally; the formal samples are taken with a witness present and is an essential requirement in Scots law should the sample result in the matter going to Court. The samples are then sent to the Public Analyst and Regional Chemist in Glasgow.

How do you decide what food to sample?

The division sets an annual chemical and microbiological sampling programme that is linked to premises due for inspection. Over and above, the Division takes part in regional and national surveys organised by the West of Scotland Food Liaison Group; the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee; Local Authorities Co-ordinators Of Regulatory Services; the Food Standards Agency & the European Union.

Local surveys are carried out for contamination and the bacteriological quality of the food. They are also to check for composition, labelling irregularities, authenticity and adulteration.

What happens if a sample fails?

An Officer from the Division will contact you. They will advise you of the result and try to discover the reason for the failure, giving any advice to try to ensure the failure is not repeated. Depending on the seriousness of the failure, the Officer may decide to resample (informally or formally) or take other enforcement action if appropriate.