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, urging businesses to review and enhance their procedures to minimise foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions. This 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.
The food industry, while primarily associated with biological hazards, also presents significant chemical risks from cleaning agents, disinfectants, pest control chemicals, and naturally occurring substances. Inadequate COSHH controls can lead to occupational health issues such as respiratory diseases, with an estimated 13,000 new or long-standing breathing or lung problems reported in 2022/23, many attributable to such failures. A recent example includes a food manufacturer fined £120,000 after workers were at risk of occupational asthma due to high levels of inhalable dust.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see confined space trainer courses or explore food hygiene trainer qualifications for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Regulatory Updates and Industry Responsibilities
Both the UK and Ireland have seen recent regulatory developments aimed at bolstering food safety. In Ireland, the European Union (Official Controls in relation to Food Legislation) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 strengthens enforcement across the board, granting regulators expanded powers to inspect, investigate, and penalise non-compliant businesses. Mandatory HACCP systems, ongoing staff training, and robust traceability are now non-negotiable. Additionally, stricter EU legal limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods came into effect on July 1, 2026, requiring more sensitive testing and robust safety management.
In the UK, significant changes to import controls took effect from January 31, 2024, requiring export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates for medium-risk animal and plant products imported from Ireland and the EU. Businesses also need to be aware of the ongoing updates to food labelling rules, including the requirement for pre-packaged food sold in Great Britain to include a UK address for the Food Business Operator as of January 1, 2024.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has noted a 14% increase in food and feed safety incidents during 2025–26, with growing complexity due to global supply chains and online marketplaces. Pathogenic microorganisms remain the most frequently reported hazard, with Salmonella accounting for half of all pathogen-related incidents. The FSA is transforming its operations to strengthen early identification of emerging risks and improve coordination.
These developments underscore the critical need for food businesses in both the UK and Ireland to maintain stringent food safety practices, invest in comprehensive staff training, and stay abreast of evolving legislation. Compliance is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental commitment to public health and business integrity.
For further training and resources on food safety and health and safety compliance, visit Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.