Campaigning for better Food Hygiene

Every year, Edinburgh Council publsihes its “Food Business Plan” which sets out how it manages the numbers of Environmental Health Officers to regulate food premesis across the city and provide advice to ocer 7,400 cafes, restaraunts, and food stands across the city.

However, nationally there is only one food hygiene course in Scotland (not in Edinburgh), meaning that recruitment is a massive challenge.

In 2023, Leith Walk Liberal Democrat Councillor Jack Cadlwell raised the red flag about the lack of training opportunities in the city, and won cross-party support for action to be taken to try and rectify the situation.

In January 2025, Councillor Neil Ross and the Liberal Democrats wrote to Food Standards Scotland to raise concerns that this had not yet been rectified by the Scottish Government.

Subsequently, in August 2025, he questioned the Council's proposal to focus all efforts on “unrated” premesis, which would see a reduction in recurring vists. Assurances were given that this was temporary.

The City of Edinburgh Council are awaiting to hear back from Food Standards Scotland. The current Food Business Plan can be found on edinburgh.gov.uk.

Councillor Caldwell says “Leith Walk ward is home to many fine food establishments. It's vital that residents and visitors alike have assurances that food and drink standards are at their highest possible, and that catering businesses who do the right thing are able to contact a sufficient number of Environmental Health Officers for advice and best practice when they want to.”