UK: Butchers fail to meet safety standards

Around a third of Scotland's butchers shops have failed to meet new safety and hygiene standards laid down by the government agency set up to monitor food safety. New regulations were introduced in the aftermath of the 1996 E.coli 0157 outbreak which killed 21 people in Lanarkshire. The new regulations stipulate that shops must have distinct areas for cooked and raw meat, improved staff induction and streamlined hygiene processes. As many as 4000 butchers are believed to be without the required paperwork. The Food Standards Agency reminded those involved that they have had three years to prepare for the changes introduced after the E.coli outbreak.