Euro-toques probe heavy food checks for producers

CHEFS and cooks have launched an investigation of disproportionate food safety requirements for small-scale producers. Through the Euro-toques organisation, they want information from primary and secondary food producers on food safety enforcement issues.

The organisation has established a food producer safety net council, comprising Myrtle Allen and Darina Allen of Ballymaloe House fame, Evan Doyle of Brooklodge in Wicklow, and Euro-toques Ireland secretary-general Ruth Hegarty.

They aim to build a database of food safety concerns and highlight where regulations have been applied disproportionately to food risks. Details of positive encounters with food safety authorities are also requested, in their bid to develop best practice guidelines.