The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has voiced its frustration with what it deems “repeated, similar, and fundamental” violations of food law, as enforcement orders surged from 77 in 2022 to 92 in 2023.
Expressing disappointment at the increase, the FSAI has called on businesses to adequately train their staff and ensure that premises comply with standards for safe food production and storage.
In 2023, food firms faced 76 closure orders, three improvement orders, and 13 prohibition orders, with six prosecutions initiated. Environmental health officers, along with inspectors from the Health Service Executive (HSE), local authorities, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, and the FSAI, led enforcement actions.
Violations included inadequate food storage posing contamination risks, lack of pest control measures, temperature control inadequacies, and insufficient staff training in food safety, personal hygiene, and recordkeeping.
Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of FSAI, expressed her hope for a reduction in enforcement levels in 2023, stating, “While each of these enforcement orders was necessary for the protection of consumer health concerning food safety, we should not be seeing such breaches of food law occurring in food businesses at all.”
Byrne emphasized that adherence to food safety regulations is a legal obligation for food businesses, urging them to prioritize and promote a culture of food safety as we enter 2024.
Recent enforcement actions in December included closure orders and a prohibition order issued for reasons such as raw duck blood contaminating surfaces and equipment, flies on raw ducks, mold growth, and cockroach infestations.
In November, ten enforcement orders were issued, revealing issues such as people living and sleeping in food preparation areas, lack of evidence of business operator training in food safety, and rodent-infested food being placed on the market.
In early 2024, Fish Seafood Deli was convicted of multiple breaches of food safety laws, resulting in fines of €6,000 ($6,600). The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) initiated the prosecution after inspections between February and May 2023 revealed non-compliance with food traceability requirements, failure to maintain premises, and improper waste storage.
The court acknowledged the steps taken by the business to address non-compliance, emphasizing the seriousness of adhering to food safety laws for consumer health and confidence in the seafood sector.