Stricter Listeria Controls Implemented in Ireland
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued new guidance to food businesses following the implementation of stricter EU legal limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods, effective from July 1, 2026. This significant development aims to raise microbiological standards and enhance public health protection, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. The new regulations mandate more sensitive testing methods and require food businesses to have robust safety management procedures in place, with the stricter limit applying throughout a product's shelf life. The FSAI warns that this could lead to an increase in product recalls if businesses do not adequately manage the risk.
This comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing concerns regarding listeriosis. In 2025, the FSAI confirmed an adult death linked to listeriosis as part of an extensive outbreak that led to the voluntary precautionary recall of 141 ready-made products sold in major retailers including Tesco, SuperValu, Centra, and Aldi. The FSAI's 2024 annual report also revealed a rise in food incidents, recalls, and enforcement actions, with 796 incidents dealt with by the food incidents team, up from 733 in 2023. Nearly 500 of these were categorised as serious. Consumer complaints to the FSAI Advice Line also increased in 2025.
UK Businesses Face Renewed Scrutiny on Allergen Management and Hygiene
In the UK, 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 addresses persistent food safety incidents and places particular emphasis on allergen management, traceability, and comprehensive hygiene protocols. The HSE's guidance stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination at every stage of food preparation and service, including meticulous cleaning and thorough staff training on allergen awareness.
Despite Natasha's Law, which came into effect in October 2021 requiring full ingredient and allergen labelling on prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods, some businesses continue to struggle with consistent implementation. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates that 2 million people in the UK live with a diagnosed food allergy. Recent HSE inspections have highlighted a concerning trend of lapses in hygiene, allergen management, and COSHH protocols within the food sector.
The FSA's 2025–26 Retail Surveillance Survey identified ongoing compliance issues, particularly with imported products. For instance, only one of 45 Dubai-style chocolate samples, many of which were imported, complied with all applicable requirements, with undeclared peanut and sesame frequently detected. The survey also found that products from larger retailers had an 82% satisfactory rate, compared to 64% from smaller food businesses.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see working at heights trainer courses or explore food hygiene trainer qualifications for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
COSHH and RIDDOR Updates Highlight Broader Workplace Safety Concerns
Beyond food-specific regulations, updates to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) continue to shape the health and safety landscape across the UK and Ireland. The HSE recently reiterated and updated its COSHH guidance, emphasising the need for businesses to review and enhance their procedures for managing hazardous substances. Workplace exposure to chemicals contributes to thousands of occupational ill-health cases annually. New Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) were introduced in 2026 for substances such as silica, wood dust, isocyanates, and diesel engine exhaust emissions, requiring employers to review and update their COSHH assessments.
In Ireland, new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 have been signed into law. These regulations implement EU Directive 2024/869, strengthening protection for workers exposed to lead and diisocyanates, which are linked to asthma and skin conditions. The new rules set EU-wide occupational exposure limits for diisocyanates for the first time.
Latest RIDDOR statistics for 2024/25 in Great Britain show 124 worker fatalities, a decrease from 138 in the previous year, and 59,219 non-fatal injuries reported by employers. Slips, trips, and falls (30%) and manual handling (17%) remain the most common causes of non-fatal injuries. The food and drink manufacturing sector has historically shown a higher rate of occupational asthma, often linked to flour dust exposure. The HSE is conducting inspections in bakeries from January 2026 to ensure employers are protecting workers from dusty ingredients.
For businesses seeking to enhance their understanding and compliance with crucial health and safety regulations, including those related to food safety, COSHH, and RIDDOR, Abertay Training offers a range of accredited courses. More information can be found at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.