Customs crackdown on risky food

CUSTOMS officers at all ports and airports are to be involved in a crackdown on imported foodstuffs that could pose a risk to our health.

A new agreement announced yesterday aims to further safeguard the safety of imported foodstuffs from third countries into Ireland.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said it had formalised agreement with the Customs and Excise Service of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

This agreement is to provide greater protection against the importation of foodstuffs that are, or could be, unfit for consumption.

The agreement enables customs officers to work with the FSAI and the health board Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) on matters relating to the inspection of non-animal foodstuffs from third countries.

Customs officers will be able to prevent the release of the products onto the market if these are a serious risk to public health.

They can take similar action if the products are not accompanied by the correct documentation or are not labelled in compliance with food legislation.

FSAI chief executive Dr Patrick Wall said it was an important step to enhance monitoring of imports into Ireland.

“FSAI officials will work in close co-operation with custom officials with an overall objective of ensuring the safety of food imported into Ireland from third countries and the protection of Irish consumers from illness related to food,” he said.

Dr Wall said the FSAI was continually seeking an enhancement of food safety standards from food businesses. It would be inequitable and unfair if its demands for high standards makes them uncompetitive and they lose their market share to products from abroad which have not met the same standards.

“Ports and airports are important to ensure that every product entering the member States from outside the EU complies with all the relevant EU legislation.

“They are the gateways to the EU single market, and if consumers are to be confident in all food, irrespective of its source, then the ports and airports must all function effectively and have thorough monitoring and inspection procedures,” he said.

Revenue Commissioner Josephine Feehily said there was a very good working relationship and co-operation between customs officers and EHOs at local level regarding the importation of non-animal food products into Ireland from non-EU countries.