Plea for integrated approach to food hygiene

Businesses and farmers were today urged to work in partnership to ensure hygiene is made a priority at every point in the food chain.

Dr John O’Brien, chief executive of the Food Safety Association of Ireland (FSAI), said new EU food hygiene legislation that came into effect on January 1, 2006 brought in a farm to fork approach to food safety.

“It is clear that the legal responsibility for food safety rests with every food business, whether manufacturing, production or food service,” he said.

“We are urging the entire food sector to work in partnership with us in 2006 to ensure consumers are fully protected and their interests are placed first when it comes to food safety and hygiene.”

Dr O’Brien said it was important for food businesses to follow the law to ensure the protection of consumers.

Figures from the food safety authority show 41 enforcement orders were served on food businesses during 2005 – including 27 closure orders, two improvement orders and 12 prohibition orders.

Dr O’Brien said the drop in enforcement orders, down from 62 during 2004, showed food businesses were now more aware of the need to abide by the law to protect consumers.

But he warned it was still unacceptable that any businesses were breaching hygiene regulations.

“However, while solid progress has been achieved, it is still disappointing that the same recurring, but easily preventable faults are the subject of most food safety breaches,” he said. “A basic and consistent food safety management plan is easy to implement and is a minimum legal requirement for food businesses.”

Dr O’Brien said enforcement orders, particularly closure orders, were only served in extreme circumstances.

During December last, three closure orders were served by environmental health officers on food businesses. The closure orders are only served where it is deemed there is or is likely to be a grave danger to public health.

A closure order was served on a restaurant, Murphy’s Cottage, Sli na Mara in Shannon Co Clare, another restaurant, the Oriental Fusion, Aughrim in Co Wicklow and on the Xing Da takeaway on Kenyon Street, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.