FSAI annual report shows rise in recalls and incidents
The annual report of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) revealed an increase in food incidents, reminders and application, but a drop in sampling.
In 2024, the food incident team treated 796 incidents, which increased compared to 733 in 2023. Nearly 500 were in the most serious category. Important public health incidents included Salmonella Hessarek in duck eggs, norovirus in oysters, three epidemics of E. Coli producer of shiga toxins (STEC) and the peanut contamination of mustard powder imported from India via the United Kingdom.
The FSAI and the health services (HSE) have studied five recent cases of salmonellosis linked to duck eggs. A Stec O26 epidemic was linked to raw cow’s milk. The source of another epidemic of Stec O26 was not found despite the investigations on the berries, the flour and the salads. For an epidemic of Stec O157, herbs cultivated at the national level and salad leaves such as kale, coriander and basil were potential sources. However, no final food vehicle has been identified.
Multiple diseases were recorded during an event in June 2024. A large proportion of participants declared consuming oysters and presenting symptoms corresponding to a norovirus infection. The follow -up surveys with the supplier detected norovirus in a separate lot, which caused a recall. Strong precipitation leading to overflows are suspected of having contributed to contamination by the Norovirus.
The food sciences and standards team was involved in alerts relating to the detection of Cronobacter in preparations for powdered infants, two e -e -food epidemics. Coli, a case of nourished botulism and listeria monocytogenes in smoked fish.
A total of 126 warnings on food recalls were issued in the form of 68 food alerts and 58 allergens alerts, an increase of 71 alerts in 2023.
Food security problems identified during fraud surveys have led to the elimination of more than 70,500 kilograms of animal products and non -animal origin.
Application and sampling details
In 2024, the FSAI received nearly 5,000 consumer complaints with 1,597 concerning unfit food, 1,449 for suspected food poisoning and 1,289 for bad hygiene standards. This was an increase compared to 4,395 complaints in 2023, which continues the upward trend observed from 2020.
Inspectors served food companies with 115 closure orders, two improvement orders, 16 ban prescriptions and have undertaken seven prosecutions against businesses in Ireland. Five of them were taken by HSE and two by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. At 133, the number of application orders was the second highest annual total since the creation of the authority.
Problems included a lack of antiparasitic control procedures; Regular and in -depth cleaning inadequate; failure to maintain correct temperatures from foodstuffs; Storage installations of unsuitable food; and inadequate staff training in relation to food security and hygiene.
There was a 12.1% increase in inspections to 67,480 in five agencies in 2024 compared to 2023. The number of staff members working on official controls has slightly decreased to 1,635. In 2024, 53,055 samples were levied and tested, against 59,693 in 2023. Agriculture, food and navy (DAFM).
FSAI received 25 requests under the 2014 Freedom of Information Act.
The waiting audit reports include one on compliance in the take -out services and another on official checks in poultry plants, which covered the controls of Salmonella. FSAI also makes a list of Listeria in pre-high-wrapped sandwiches ready to eat and salad products mixed with dressing.
Food and Drug Administration performs surveillance inspections to ensure that food companies in Ireland that provide the United States, meet the requirements of the Act to Modernization of Food Safety (FSMA). In September 2024, the FDA undertook six business inspections in Ireland.
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