FSAI programme to tackle food hygiene standards

60% of reported outbreaks of food-borne illness in Ireland occur in the food service sector.

A key factor in these outbreaks is the breakdown of hygiene practices due to lack of training, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.

With this in mind, the FSAI has launched a food safety training programme to enhance basic food safety techniques, in the interest of consumer protection.

Employers are now legally obliged to ensure that all staff involved in food production or preparation must be adequately trained and/or supervised in food hygiene practices, and this programme will assist compliance.

Commenting on the initiative, Alan Reilly, Acting Chief Executive, FSAI said: "This programme addresses the concerns expressed by all sectors of the food industry in relation to the time and resources required to provide basic food safety training to new and existing employees.

"It is quick and easy to implement and extremely cost effective, ensuring that food businesses have no excuse not to deliver basic food safety training," Reilly added.

The programme was developed in response to research that showed 72% of the food industry felt their food safety training could be improved.

It is estimated that 500,000 workers are employed in the Irish food industry.