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Eat Safe Award Sets Sail for Isle of Mull
Tuesday 17 July 2007
A Scottish ferry has become the latest recipient of a prestigious food hygiene award.
The MV Isle of Mull, Caledonian MacBrayne ferry is the first vessel to be recognised through the Eat Safe Award scheme, which aims to improve public confidence and consumer choice in catering establishments throughout the country.
The ferry – which services the islands of Mull and Colonsay, and provides everything from light snacks to full meals for up to 950 passengers – is the latest recipient of the award, which also aims to promote excellence in standards of food hygiene and food safety management.
The Eat Safe scheme was launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland in June 2003 and was rolled out across Scotland in January 2005. To date, almost 350 establishments across the country have received the award.
Andrew Collier, Retail Operations Manager with Caledonian MacBrayne, is delighted to have received the recognition.
He said: “We are extremely happy that the efforts of the management and crew of the MV Isle of Mull have been recognised with the Eat Safe Award. CalMac Ferries Ltd is pleased to be associated with this initiative and the award for the MV Isle of Mull demonstrates the importance that we as a company places on food safety.
“This award is a reflection of the high standards of hygiene and excellent work practices evident on all of our vessels and I am sure that the crews on these will be working even harder now to also achieve this accreditation.”
Robert McIntyre, spokesperson for Economy, Environment and Rural Affairs for Argyll and Bute Council also believes the latest award is great news for the tourism industry in the area.
He said: “This award might be seen by some as a little different, not being made to a hotel or restaurant; however, I am delighted to welcome this recognition of the high standards of food safety in Argyll and Bute. This award, above all to date, shows the broad range of catering businesses that are eligible for the Eat Safe scheme.”
Marion McArthur, Head of the Local Authority Food Law Enforcement Branch, FSA Scotland, added: “I am delighted to see such a diverse range of establishments taking an interest in the Eat Safe Award scheme and striving to achieve the high standards it encourages. Congratulations to all at Caledonian MacBrayne.”
All of Scotland’s thirty two Local Authorities have given their backing to the scheme, which was launched following discussions between the FSAS, the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health of Scotland, the Scottish Food Advisory Committee (SFAC), Scottish Local Authorities and the FSA Northern Ireland.
Eligible establishments are assessed for the Eat Safe Award as part of scheduled food hygiene inspections carried out by Environmental Health Services. The issue and control of certificates is through local authorities and Awards are reviewed at every planned food hygiene inspection.
Further information on the Food Standards Agency Scotland and the Eat Safe scheme in particular can be found at www.food.gov.uk
