Food Hygiene

All aspects of hospital food hygiene are subject to control under legislation and hospitals, including wards, can be inspected by Environmental Health Officers at any time.

These Officers have the power to enforce provision of the Food Safety Act 1990 and The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations (2006) require that all food businesses apply food safety management procedures based on the principle of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) to their business wherever the service is delivered and whoever is involved in that service. If food is not handled correctly, legal action can be taken against either the Service or the individual who fails to comply with the law.

All employees in NHS Lothian that are involved in food handling at any stage of the process need to be aware of good food hygiene practices and the need to handle food in a safe, clean environment.