Increase in unregistered food businesses due to Covid

I nve s t i g a t i o n s were carried out into 47 unregistered food businesses in 2020, as compared to 19 in 2019 - businesses that were operating illegally without the knowledge or supervision of the competent authorities.

Some of these food businesses were established in domestic kitchens or private dwellings with inadequate food safety processes, procedures and facilities in place, as a result of the temporary closure of the food business in which the people were employed due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), operating in collaboration with its official agencies to investigate the businesses, recently reported the details.

The food businesses investigated were producing, processing or distributing various foods such as baked goods; eggs; ready-to-eat sushi products; poultry; and both raw and cooked meats.

Food law requires all food businesses to be notified to the relevant competent authority irrespective of the size or type of food business, prior to operating. This requirement ensures that food businesses will be registered and/or approved with the appropriate inspection agency to ensure food safety and protect consumer health. The food business owner is legally responsible for ensuring that the food they produce is safe to eat.

In 2020, five Closure Orders, five Compliance Notices and three Prohibition Orders were served on unregistered/unapproved food businesses. In addition to these, two warrants were obtained to gain access to unregistered food businesses running their business from a domestic dwelling. The investigations also resulted in 17 tonnes of unfit and/or unsafe food taken off the market in Ireland.

4 ENFORCEMENTS IN FEBRUARY

Meanwhile, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported on Monday that four Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of February for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998.

The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 one on a restaurant/café in Cork Cork, the other at a food stall trading in County Roscommon.

While two Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on manufacturers in county Cork.

OPERATING OUTSIDE THE LAW

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI urges consumers to be vigilant and only purchase food from reputable food businesses.

“There is no doubt that Covid-19 has presented many challenges for the food industry and for people working in the sector, however, this does not change the legal requirements which are in place to protect consumer health. All food business owners, big or small, whether trading from a business premises, in the home, from a mobile unit, food truck and/or online, must be aware of food hygiene and food safety legislation. It is totally unacceptable that some food businesses are choosing to operate outside of the law,” said Dr Byrne.

“Many of these unregistered food businesses are using social media platforms such as Facebook, Facebook marketplace, Adverts.ie, Done Deal and Instagram to advertise the sale and supply of their food products, and WhatsApp is also used by some for receiving orders. The FSAI and the food inspectors continue to monitor these sites and will take appropriate action, if unregistered food businesses are discovered. We would ask consumers that if they are in any doubt about a food business, they should contact us through our online complaint form www.fsai. ie/makeitbetter and we will follow up on this,” added Dr Byrne.

CORRECT PROCEDURE

The FSAI has reiterated that anyone who is planning to open a food business should contact the FSAI for advice as to the correct procedures they must put in place to notify the relevant competent authority about their business, comply with food law and operate safely to ensure they can protect public health. For further information visit https://www.fsai.ie/