Written Question · S4W-18037 · Session 4
What the Food Standards Agency Scotland's position is on the potential impact on the takeaway food sector of the proposal to introduce a ch…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what the Food Standards Agency Scotland's position is on the potential impact on the takeaway food sector of the proposal to introduce a charge on carrier bags.
The answer
The Food Standards Agency’s remit in this respect is concerned with providing advice on the potential risk to food safety.
The Food Standards Agency’s position regarding the potential for the transfer of pathogens between raw foods (such as raw meat and vegetables containing soil) and ready to eat foods is clear. Carrier bags which have previously been used to transport unpackaged or unsealed raw foods could present a cross-contamination risk to unpackaged ready to eat foods.
Foods purchased from takeaways tend to be cooked, ready to eat foods which are usually wrapped or partially wrapped before placing in a carrier bag. These food items should not in themselves present a risk of contamination if they are cooked and handled properly by the caterer in accordance with food hygiene legislation.
With more and more consumers reusing carrier bags, either for sustainability or as a result of charging the Food Standards Agency’s advice to help prevent bacteria spreading to ready-to-eat food is as follows:
1. Keep raw meat and fish separate from ready-to eat-foods, in separate bags.
2. If your bags are re-useable, keep one or two just for use with raw meat and fish.
3. Do not use them for ready-to-eat foods.
4. Re-useable bags (and single use carrier bags) should be disposed of if there has been any spillage of raw meat juices.
The Food Standards Agency’s position regarding the potential for the transfer of pathogens between raw foods (such as raw meat and vegetables containing soil) and ready to eat foods is clear. Carrier bags which have previously been used to transport unpackaged or unsealed raw foods could present a cross-contamination risk to unpackaged ready to eat foods.
Foods purchased from takeaways tend to be cooked, ready to eat foods which are usually wrapped or partially wrapped before placing in a carrier bag. These food items should not in themselves present a risk of contamination if they are cooked and handled properly by the caterer in accordance with food hygiene legislation.
With more and more consumers reusing carrier bags, either for sustainability or as a result of charging the Food Standards Agency’s advice to help prevent bacteria spreading to ready-to-eat food is as follows:
1. Keep raw meat and fish separate from ready-to eat-foods, in separate bags.
2. If your bags are re-useable, keep one or two just for use with raw meat and fish.
3. Do not use them for ready-to-eat foods.
4. Re-useable bags (and single use carrier bags) should be disposed of if there has been any spillage of raw meat juices.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-18037 by reference.