FSAI submits annual report to minister

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland's Consultative Council has released its second annual report to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Tim O'Malley.

The Council's objective is to provide feedback to the FSAI on the group's opinions and recommendations, according to Pat Caulfield, Chairman of the Food Safety Consultative Council.

In its submission, the Council identified a number of key priorities for 2003/2004.

Included among these were the safe supply of drinking water; promoting a food labeling system and increased research and information on the potential benefits of reducing acrylamide in our food supply.

The 2002 report submitted today to the Department of Health and Children also detailed the Council's work during the year with an emphasis on the areas it discussed and commissioned reports on.

These included Johne's disease in cattle; commissioning data on attitudes of consumers and the food industry to food safety; the quality of public and private water supplies and discussing the issue of artisan/small producers and the obstacles to developing a food business in relation to food safety regulations.