FSAI documented more cases of food contamination in 2014

IN 2014, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s Advice Line received 8% more queries and complaints compared to the previous year. The FSAI documented 14,348 reports, the nature of which can be broken down into 2,738 complaints on food and food premises and 11,604 requests for advice from food businesses across a range of food related areas.

The increase in volume suggests that food businesses are in need of information on labelling requirements and resources for food business start-ups, the FSAI said. The number of requests was up 100% from 2013 and coincided with the introduction of new laws requiring the labelling of specific allergens on all loose food. Customers also enquired about business startups, training, standards and legislation, apart from requests for FSAI publications.  

The higher number of complaints indicates that more consumers are taking action to report poor hygiene practice. The FSAI Advice Line received 1,199 complaints on unfit food; 529 on suspect food poisoning; 566 on hygiene standards; 175 on incorrect information on food labelling; and 269 other complaints.

Contamination of food with foreign objects is a major issue, according to FSAI which noted several allegations of food contaminated with dead maggots and glass, or other foreign objects in 2014. All complaints received by the FSAI were followed up and investigated by the HSE’s environmental health officers throughout the country.

Edel Smyth, Information Manager, FSAI said: “Consumers have become more vigilant in recent years and are now much more likely to report poor hygiene or food safety standards that they encounter. This is a welcome development and we continue to encourage anyone who has had a bad experience to report the matter to us so that the issue can be investigated directly.”

She also said, “Poor standards are often the result of inadequate staff training and a failure to follow best practices to safeguard customers’ health.  This is inexcusable given the substantial information and resources available to assist food businesses. Our Advice Line is an important resource for the food industry where our experts are available to assist food business owners and managers raise their standards with the best available advice.  We urge food businesses to take full advantage of the information and support provided to ensure they reach their food safety legal requirements.”