Tender

Research into experiences of businesses providing out of home nutrition information in Scotland and Wales

FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND (FSS)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

18 Sep 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has initiated a public procurement process for a project titled "Research into experiences of businesses providing out of home nutrition information in Scotland and Wales." This tender, currently at the tender stage, seeks an external supplier to conduct research on the business experiences of providing calorie or nutrition information within Scotland and Wales' out-of-home food sector. The FSS, a national or federal agency located in Aberdeen, is overseeing this open procedure, which is part of the broader Food Safety industry category. The value of the contract is £115,000 GBP, and the procurement method supports electronic submissions. Key procurement dates include the tender submission deadline on 7th October 2025, with an award period starting immediately thereafter. Potential suppliers may deliver the research remotely, although the focus remains on businesses within the UK.

This tender presents significant business development opportunities, particularly for research and consultancy firms specializing in nutrition, health policy, or the food and beverage industry. Businesses with expertise in digital data collection methods or possessing robust ties to the food service sector in the UK will be especially well-suited to compete. Given the scope to perform the research remotely, organisations without a local presence in Scotland or Wales may still find this an attractive opportunity. Furthermore, businesses capable of interpreting complex data into actionable recommendations for policy can leverage this project to expand their portfolio and impact in public health consultancy, tapping into a market increasingly focused on enhancing consumer health through informed food choices.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Research into experiences of businesses providing out of home nutrition information in Scotland and Wales

Notice Description

Food Standards Scotland is looking to contract with an external supplier to undertake research into the business experience of providing calorie or nutrition information in out of home businesses in Scotland and Wales.

Lot Information

Lot 1

In 2021, the Scottish Government published the Diet and healthy weight out of home (OOH) action plan (https://www.gov.scot/publications/diet-and-healthy-weight-out-of-home-action-plan/) following recommendations from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) in 2019. Among the recommendations made by FSS included one to make calorie labelling mandatory in the OOH sector in Scotland, at the point of consumer choice. Scotland and Wales both independently consulted on mandatory calorie labelling in out of home settings, in 2022. Following uncertainty and concerns around calorie labelling from the public, and recognition of the need to explore alternative methods, including providing wider nutrition information and providing information on request, as opposed to at the point of sale, the decision to mandate calorie labelling was paused in both Scotland and Wales. Most of the research on calorie labelling policy has focused on the impact on consumer behaviour, more recently, the impact on eating disorders, and to a much less extent, business reformulation. There has not been any research undertaken to explore the feasibility of providing broader nutrition information as opposed to only calorie information, and the feasibility of providing this on an on-request basis as opposed to at the point-of-choice. No research of this kind has been undertaken in Scotland or Wales, where calorie labelling is not mandatory, nor across a representative range of businesses operating in Scotland or Wales. FSS is looking to contract with an external supplier to undertake research into exploring the implications of businesses providing calorie / nutrition information and the feasibility of providing the information on request as opposed to at the point of sale. Specifically, the proposed aims are to: 1. Determine the extent to which businesses selling food in the OOH sector in Scotland and Wales voluntarily provide calorie or nutrition information both online and in-store. 2. Explore experiences of businesses (including those providing bilingual menus) providing calorie and/or nutrition information (including perceived impacts on consumer choices). 3. Explore actions taken by businesses when providing calorie/nutrition information. 4. Explore the implications of businesses providing broader nutrition information, as opposed to only calorie information, including impacts if UK nations take different approaches. 5. Explore the feasibility of businesses providing calorie / nutrition information in a different format for example on-request / available through others means such as via a QR Code as opposed to, at the point of choice , including impacts if UK nations take different approaches.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 8 and 9 of the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016.

Renewal: The contract may be extended, at the sole discretion of the Purchaser, by a further 3 x 1 month periods.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000800612
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539460
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£115,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND (FSS)
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
lucy.wright@gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1224285172

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB11 5RL
Post Town
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Torry/Ferryhill
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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