Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2021: business and regulatory impact assessment

Consumer Assessment

Access

This initiative is available to children regardless of where they are in Scotland; it includes a new offer of a variety of milks and alternatives to dairy where required so those with allergies or dietary preferences are not discriminated against. The funding is offered to, day care and childminders offering pre-school childcare so should not impact on parents/carers choice of child care.

Choice

The initiative increases choice offered to children as part of theirday care service. The childcare setting is free to choose the specific products offered so competition/choice is not limited by restrictions in the policy.

Safety

There may need to be consideration that safeguards are put in place to ensure the children do not receive food that harms them (e.g. allergies, food being stored unhygienically) and their details are kept safe as part of the policy. However Scottish Government expect this to be minimal as settings are already required to follow Food Standard Scotland standards, and ensure staff have appropriate food handling training.

Information

A communication plan will be developed to inform and update local authorities, stakeholders, care settings and parents of the changes to the existing UK NMS for Scotland and the introduction of the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme.

Fairness

The initiative will be provided at no cost to parents/primary carers and will focus on improving children's health and nutrition and will contribute to tackling health inequalities.

Representation

Children in scope of this Scheme were deemed too young to provide feedback and input to this policy but representatives and stakeholders within the childcare sector have fed back views and suggestions on their behalf.

Redress

Not applicable.