Lenihan receives food labs report

Brian Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, was officially presented with the Strategic Developmental Review of Health Board Food Control Laboratories Report earlier today at safefood's offices.

The key recommendation of the report is the move from a fragmented activity to the establishment of a single laboratory service, which will be known as the Food Safety Laboratory Service (FSLS).

While laboratories will continue to be managed locally, the report recommended that the overall operational control and direction of the single service reside within the new Health Service Executive (HSE) under the direction of a senior scientific laboratory co-ordinator.

The report identified this function as critical to the success of the integrated service.

In order to support the HSE, the report further recommended a permanent Food Safety Laboratory Advisory Committee to advise and work with the HSE.

Speaking at the launch, the chairperson of the Strategic Review Group, Dr Mary O'Mahony of the UK Health Protection Agency, said: "Laboratory services play a key role at the sharp end in protecting the public's health.

“Staff in laboratories test food for compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines, identify food-borne hazards and participate in the investigation of disease outbreaks.

“In addition, they provide a food testing service for consumers and supply information for assessing risks associated with foods.

“During our review, it became clear that for laboratories to continue to improve their service, a unified, multi-sited and integrated service, providing a microbiological and chemical food analytical service is what the country needs.

“This service will offer the best means of fulfilling every aspect of a laboratory's role, including improving efficiency."

The report identified that there was significant investment in food-related public health protection in Ireland in recent years.

However, it was recognised that there is a need to support regional activities of laboratories to encompass national perspectives and needs.