Food producers cope well with safety rules
Making a profit and distribution of products were ranked as the biggest concerns in the first survey to be conducted in Ireland on the sector’s view on how food safety impacts on its business.
It was carried out by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, in conjunction with Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture and Food.
The results, which were revealed yesterday at a Food Safety Consultative Council (FSCC) open meeting in Cork, showed that 88% of respondents identified serious burdens to their survival and growth.
Sixty-three per cent reported they did not find food safety regulations difficult to comply with. However, making a profit was a primary concern for respondents (26%), followed by distribution of products (24%). Building a brand, compliance with food regulations and building a production facility ranked as joint third in their list of concerns (15%). There was a 70% response rate to the survey which included representatives from all the main food sectors - farmhouse cheesemakers, small producers of meat, seafood, honey, bread, chocolate, preserves, condiments, beverages and organic products.
