Approval mark for small meat plants
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said the mark enables small meat producers and meat-cutting plants to promote the independence of their facility and to show it has been approved and inspected.
To date, only large plants manufacturing meat products for export could secure an approval mark granted by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
FSAI service contracts director Peter Whelan said the initiative is part of a continuous improvement process.
The triangle mark is for small meat plants supplying the domestic market and an oval mark is for larger export plants that may also sell produce on the local market.
Mr Whelan said the adaptation of the scheme to include small producers is a welcome development. Previously, small meat plants were at a disadvantage as they had no mark.
"Some major buyers including supermarkets and multiples insisted on the oval mark as this was the only indication meat products were produced in approved premises.
"However, this approval process was only available to plants producing meat for the export market. It is vital to reduce food poisoning outbreaks we know have occurred in unapproved premises in the past," he said.
