Download REHIS Journal 20/2 (Summer 2008) - The Royal ...

Environmental Health ScotlandThe table suggests that, of the identifiable food typesanalysed, only black bean sauce meals showed amarkedly worse failure rate than other types.DiscussionThe continued failure of a significant numberof samples of Chinese-style meals to comply with theMSG limits is disappointing. It is apparent that thepreviously issued guidance for caterers in this sector hasnot been as effective as FSSC would have hoped.The sample results suggest that many types offood can fail the standard and that the problem may beparticular outlets rather than food types.Whilst environmental health staff visiting caterers canreinforce messages regarding MSG use and samplescan be taken, it is apparent that a more direct, focusedapproach may be required to ensure an improvementin compliance.Consideration could be given to a number of optionsincluding promotions, discussions with trade groupsor prosecution of offenders.Recommendations• Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) shouldassess current guidance to the Chinese cateringsector on MSG use. If gaps or deficiencies areidentified in the guidance, FSAS should work withstakeholders to provide clear, practical advice.• FSAS should consider, with stakeholders, the bestway to promote this advice and enter into a campaignto improve compliance.• Local authorities faced with illegal MSG use inmeals should consider taking formal samples andthe application of their enforcement policies.***Examinations and Professional Standards Committeeby Bernard Forteath, Committee Vice-ChairmanThe most recent meeting of the Committee took placein Stirling on Wednesday 30 April and the followingis a précis of what took place.The most recent diet of the ProfessionalExaminations took place in April. Thirteen candidatespresented of whom ten were successful and threeunsuccessful. Of the ten candidates who passed, twowere re-sits. The next diet of the ProfessionalExaminations has been fixed for 4, 5 and 6 November2008. The Committee also agreed the followingdates for diets in 2009: 24, 25 and 26 March and 3, 4and 5 November.The Director of Professional Developmentpresented the Committee with a report intended towiden the scope of the written case study and theintroduction of a written examination. The changesproposed are considered necessary so that the Schemeof Practical Training is more closely aligned to therecommendations contained in the Morris/Robertsonand Old reports that the Profession is a part of thewider public health workforce. The Committee agreed,in principle, to the proposed changes and the Directorof Professional Development will present a furtherreport on the development of this process to the nextmeeting of the Committee. A suitable lead-in timewill, of course, be provided for RegisteredStudents/Graduate Trainee EHOs who will be thesubject of the proposed changes to the Scheme ofPractical Training.Currently there are 55 students enrolled in the fouryears of the BSc (Hons) Environmental Healthdegree course at the University of Strathclyde, sevenstudents enrolled on the MSc in EnvironmentalHealth degree course at the University ofStrathclyde, and six students are studying on the MScEnvironmental Health degree course, by distancelearning, at the University of Derby. The numberof Environmental Health Officers working towardsChartered status continues to grow with 135members recently being awarded Certificates ofCompliance. The Director of ProfessionalDevelopment also reported an increase in the numberof members who had submitted ContinuingProfessional Development records and were workingtowards Chartered EHO status. If you are an EHO andare considering participating in the Scheme but arestill unsure of what is required please do not hesitateto contact Kevin Freeman at Manor Place.A copy of the Disciplinary Procedures and Codeof Professional Conduct, recently approved by theCouncil, will be sent to each member in the near future.This issue of the Institute’s Journal also contains anarticle by John Frater on the implementation of theseimportant documents.34