Food Examiner
- Regulators
-
- Food Standards Scotland
- Scottish Ministers
- Nations
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- Scotland
- Sectors
-
- Science
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Food Standards Scotland
- Address
-
4th Floor, Pilgrim House
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL - Email address
- enquiries@fss.scot
- Phone number
- +44 (0)1224 285 100
Oversight body
- Regulatory authority
- Scottish Ministers
- Address
-
Scottish Government, St. Andrew's House, Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG - Email address
- ceu@gov.scot
- Website
- https://www.gov.scot
- Phone number
- +44 (0)3002 444 000
Regulation
Regulation summary
Under the Food Safety Act (1990), Food Examiners in Scotland are regulated by Scottish Ministers. Food Examiners are responsible for examining food as part of official controls to ensure businesses are complying with food safety law in Scotland.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
Food Examiners will examine food as part of official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law. Food Examiners will also provide advice to sampling officers on:
• sampling and aseptic techniques
• sampling policy and the sampling programme
• transport
• quality
• test selection
• interpretation of results
Food Examiners will also support Sampling Officers on the preparation of materials for prosecutions.
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/scientists-and-researchers/professions-regulated-by-food-standards-scotland
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
To become a qualified Food Examiner, you must have qualified as a food assessor before 05 April 2013, when the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 came into effect. If you qualified as a food assessor after 05 April 2013, you must possess one of the qualifications listed below:
• a first-class degree (with honours) in microbiology
• a degree of Master of Science, provided that
• a Mastership in Chemical Analysis (MChemA) awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
• a fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) gained after passing the Higher Specialist Diploma examination in medical microbiology set by the IBMS.
• fellowship or membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
• candidates must also have carried out examination of food for at least 3 years in total in an appropriate laboratory as listed Schedule 2 of Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2013. Time spent in a laboratory as an undergraduate does not count towards this requirement.If you do not meet the above criteria, then you will not be able to practise as a food examiner in the UK. This is also the case for individuals with qualifications from overseas.
There are four qualification routes to practise as Food Examiner in Scotland, namely:
• Route A: Degree in microbiology or Master of Science
• Route B: Royal Society of Chemistry, Mastership of Chemical Analysis
• Route C: Institute of Biological Science, Fellowship and Higher Specialist Diploma
• Route D: Institute of Food Science and Technology, Membership and Fellowship (IFST)For more information visit the link below.
Professionals from other UK nations
- Routes to recognition within the UK
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The required qualifications are the same in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The FSS regulates Food Examiner in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The FSA and DHSC Secretary of State regulates Food Analysts for Wales, the FSA and Department of Health (Northern Ireland) regulates Food Analysts in Northern Ireland.
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- None - all professionals must re-qualify
- Summary of routes
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To become qualified to practice as a Food Examiner in the UK, you must:
(1) possess one of the following:
(a) Degree (with Honours) in Microbiology
(b) Master of Science (awarded following an examination and at least one paper in Microbiology)
(c) Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (awarded after passing the Higher Specialist Diploma examination in Medical Microbiology)
(d) Fellowship or Membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technolgy
(2) have carried out examination of food in an appropriate laboratory as outlined in Schedule 2 of The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 2013.If you do not possess these qualifications, you may not practice as a Food Examiner.
- More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/scientists-and-researchers/professions-regulated-by-food-standards-scotland
Registration
- Registration requirements
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Once the required qualifications have been achieved, you must be nominated by a local authority before you may practice as a Food Examiner. There is no further requirement or license needed to lawfully practise as a Food Examiner.
As a Food Examiner, you will be expected to record and maintain your continuous professional development (CPD).
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
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Food Safety Act 1990
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/16/contents
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2013
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/84/contents