(1)Food Standards Scotland may issue to the persons mentioned in subsection (3) guidance about the exercise, generally, of their functions in relation to matters connected with the management of outbreaks (or suspected outbreaks) of food-borne diseases.
(2)“Food-borne diseases” means diseases of humans which are capable of being caused by the consumption of infected or otherwise contaminated food.
(3)The persons referred to in subsection (1) are—
(a)the Scottish Ministers,
(b)public bodies and office-holders.
(4)Different guidance may be issued to different persons or for different purposes.
(5)Food Standards Scotland must publish any such guidance (in such manner as it considers appropriate).
(6)A person to whom any such guidance is issued must have regard to the guidance in exercising any function to which it relates.
(7)The power to issue guidance under subsection (1) is without prejudice to the other powers of Food Standards Scotland.
(8)The power in subsection (1) includes power to issue revised guidance (and references in this section to guidance are to be construed accordingly).