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Survey scope
A UK survey is collecting experiences from blind and partially sighted people to strengthen the case for mandatory braille food labelling. Launched by Sight Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland and partners, it examines difficulties identifying, storing and using food products. The survey is open to respondents whether or not they use braille.
Policy relevance
Responses will inform Food Standards Scotland’s Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and support discussions with UK Government departments, including DEFRA, about possible future policy change. The initiative follows growing calls for accessible labelling and a 2023 Disability Equality Scotland study, which found that three-quarters of blind and partially sighted people considered food labels inaccessible.
Independence and access
Campaigners say braille should complement rather than replace technology, which may depend on devices, software or internet access. Veronica Whymant, a blind woman from St Andrews, says inaccessible information can force people to rely on others for identifying products, ingredients and expiry dates. She describes braille as a route to greater independence, privacy, confidence and choice in everyday food decisions.
