Irish Food Businesses Face Increased Scrutiny as Breaches Rise
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported a concerning increase in enforcement orders issued to food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation. In 2024, a total of 133 enforcement orders were served, marking a substantial 45% rise compared to the 92 orders issued in 2023. These orders, which include closure orders, prohibition orders, and improvement orders, are only issued when there is a serious risk to consumer health or significant hygiene and operational issues.
Common reasons for these enforcement actions include a lack of pest control procedures, inadequate cleaning, failure to maintain correct foodstuff temperatures, unsuitable food storage facilities, and insufficient staff training in food safety and hygiene. For instance, recent inspections in June alone led to 13 Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order, revealing issues such as pest infestations (including live cockroaches, slugs, spiders, and woodlice), rodent droppings, inadequate handwashing facilities, and poor cleaning standards like mouldy chopping boards and grease-coated equipment.
Consumer complaints also saw an upward trend, with the FSAI's Advice Line handling almost 5,000 complaints in 2024, an increase from 4,395 in 2023. The most frequent complaints concerned unfit food (32%), suspected food poisoning (29%), and poor hygiene standards. Examples of unfit food included foreign objects like plastic, insects, hair, glass, metal, and stones. Suspected food poisoning cases also rose, with 1,449 reports in 2024 compared to 23.3% of complaints in 2023.
UK Reinforces Food Safety and COSHH Guidance Amidst Persistent Risks
In the United Kingdom, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reinforced its guidance on food safety, emphasising the critical need for robust compliance and proactive risk management within the food industry. This comes as foodborne illnesses continue to be a significant concern, with Campylobacter remaining the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning, accounting for an estimated 280,000 cases annually. Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli also contribute substantially to the burden of foodborne disease.
The HSE's renewed focus highlights allergen management, traceability, and comprehensive hygiene protocols. Local authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland conducted over 400,000 food hygiene inspections in 2022/23, often uncovering deficiencies in these key areas.
Furthermore, the HSE has issued a call for heightened awareness and strict compliance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations within the UK's food manufacturing and catering sectors. This is due to a discernible increase in enforcement actions and prosecutions related to COSHH breaches during the 2023/2024 reporting period. Improper handling, storage, or application of cleaning agents, disinfectants, and pest control chemicals, which fall under COSHH, can lead to chemical burns and other serious workplace incidents.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see lone worker safety training or explore COSHH assessor training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
The Importance of Training and Regulatory Updates
Both Irish and UK authorities consistently highlight the pivotal role of adequate staff training in preventing food safety breaches. The FSAI stresses that it is a legal obligation for food businesses to adhere to food safety regulations proactively and ensure staff are appropriately trained. Similarly, the HSE in the UK underscores that a well-trained workforce is the cornerstone of effective food safety.
Recent regulatory updates in the UK also aim to modernise food law enforcement. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published updated Food Law Codes of Practice and Practice Guidance for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in October 2025, implementing a more flexible, risk-based approach to enforcement. These changes allow local councils greater flexibility in prioritising inspections and utilising alternative control methods, including remote assessments.
These developments underscore the continuous need for food businesses to invest in comprehensive food safety training and maintain rigorous compliance with evolving regulations. The legal and reputational consequences of non-compliance can be severe, ranging from hefty fines to business closure.
For businesses seeking to ensure their staff are fully compliant with the latest food safety and COSHH regulations, Abertay Training offers a range of accredited courses designed to meet UK and Irish standards. More information can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.