Freedom of Information

As a public authority, we are required to:

• publish the classes of information that we make routinely available
• tell you how you can access this information and what it might cost

We have produced a Guide to Information which:

• allows you to see what information is available (and what is not available) in relation to each class
• states what charges may be applied
• explains how you can find the information easily
• provides contact details for enquiries and to get help with accessing the information
• explains how to request information we hold that has not been published.

Read our full guide to information.

We have adopted the Model Publication Scheme, produced by the Scottish Information Commissioner. You can see this scheme at https://www.foi.scot.

The publication scheme lists:

• the classes of information which FSS publishes or intends to publish
• the manner in which information within each class is, or is intended to be published
• whether the material is, or is intended to be available free of charge or on payment.

The information we publish through the model scheme is, wherever possible, available on our website. The website front page guides readers to food topics .

If you would like to access information not published under the scheme, you can still request it from us under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) or, in the case of environmental information, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs). For further information on accessing information we do not publish, see Making a request for information.

If the information you are looking for is not included in the publication scheme you can submit a request by post or email to us at:

Freedom of Information Officer
Food Standards Scotland,
4th Floor,
Pilgrim House,
Old Ford Street,
Aberdeen,
AB11 5RL

Email: openness@fss.scot

When making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, you should provide a name and address for correspondence and a description of the information you would like to see. Please be specific about the information that you are looking for - it helps us to identify what you require and answer your request more promptly.

There are certain circumstances when some or all of the information you request may not be released as it is exempt under Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). If this is the case we will write to you and explain why.

If you are unhappy with our response you can ask us to review it and if you are still unhappy, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

FOISA does not give you a right to personal information about yourself. If you want to request your own personal information held by FSS this will be treated as a subject access request under the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR). Please see our privacy statement for more details. 

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is enforced by the Scottish Information Commissioner, and more details about freedom of information law in Scotland can be found on their website.

Contact details

• Address: Scottish Information Commissioner
  Kinburn Castle
  Doubledykes Road
  St Andrews
  Fife
  KY16 9DS
• Tel: 01334 464610
• Email: enquiries@foi.scot
• Web: Scottish Information Commissioner

Quarterly statistics on our handling of FOI requests are published on the website of the Scottish Information Commissioner.

We will publish significant FOI requests with wider public interest and appeal decisions made by the Scottish Information Commissioner.