Last year the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued 39 food alerts, the highest number in ten years, according to a breakdown it published today (1 March.)
Notifications were issued by the FSAI to food inspectors and food businesses or other businesses relating to food which had the potential to cause an adverse health effect.
Soups, broths sauces and condiments which posed a risk of salmonella, as well as prepared food dishes, snacks and milk products which tested for Listeria monocytogenes were among the products recalled.
The FSAI also outlined that in 2016, 28 food allergen alerts were issued by the FSAI regarding the possible risk to consumers with food allergies or food intolerances from a particular food.
According to Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, “consumers have the right to safe and accurately labelled food so they can make informed purchasing decisions.”
Byrne said, “Issuing food alerts and food allergen alerts is a reflection of the seriousness of food incidents, some of which have the potential to cause serious harm to consumers. The increase in recent years of food allergen alerts and food alerts is indicative of the need for food businesses to not only ensure the food they place on the market is safe, but that it is also labelled correctly, especially in the case of allergens.
“We urge food businesses to take their responsibilities seriously, to have robust food safety management systems in place and to take full advantage of all the information and support provided to ensure they are meeting their food safety obligations.”
Reportedly three in every 100 people in Ireland have a food allergy and the seriousness of these occurrences can result in serious medical attention or the loss of life to an individual in its most extreme form.
© 2017 - Checkout Magazine by Donna Ahern
