Authority reports rise in inquiries as food business start-ups buck recession trend

THE Food Safety Authority of Ireland has handled a 72% increase in calls for assistance from people wishing to set up a new food business in Ireland since the recession started in 2008. Enquiries went from 734 in 2008 to 1,259 in 2010.

Despite the recession, the number of registered food businesses has gone from 44,052 in 2008 to 46,259 in 2010.

In the first two months of 2011, requests for business start-up information were up 29% compared to the same period last year.