Food Safety Under Scrutiny: Rising Incidents and Enforcement in UK & Ireland

Food Safety Under Scrutiny: Rising Incidents and Enforcement in UK & Ireland

Food safety continues to be a paramount concern across both the UK and Ireland, with recent reports highlighting a notable increase in food-related incidents, consumer complaints, and subsequent enforcement actions. Regulatory bodies are intensifying their focus, urging businesses to review and strengthen their compliance with existing legislation, including robust COSHH protocols where applicable.

Increased Complaints and Enforcement in Ireland

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported a significant rise in consumer complaints and enforcement orders in 2024. The FSAI's Advice Line handled 4,996 complaints from consumers, marking a 13.7% increase compared to 2023. Of these, 32% (1,597) related to unfit food, and 29% (1,449) concerned suspected food poisoning. Common issues included foreign body contamination (plastic, insects, hair, glass, metal, stones) and poor hygiene standards such as rodent sightings, inadequate staff clothing, and improper food storage.

In response to these breaches, the FSAI issued 133 Enforcement Orders in 2024, a substantial 45% increase from the 92 orders served in 2023. These included 115 Closure Orders, 16 Prohibition Orders, and 2 Improvement Orders. Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, described the increase as unacceptable, emphasising that such orders are only issued when a serious risk to consumer health is identified.

Beyond complaints, the FSAI's annual report also revealed a rise in food incidents and recalls. In 2024, the food incidents team dealt with 796 incidents, up from 733 in 2023, with almost 500 categorised as most serious. Incidents of significant public health concern included Salmonella Hessarek in duck eggs, norovirus in oysters, and outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

UK Food Safety Landscape and COSHH Emphasis

In the UK, while hygiene compliance generally shows an upward trend with an average of 96.8% of food businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland achieving a satisfactory or better Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) rating between 2020/21 and 2023/24, concerns persist regarding enforcement capacity and incident reporting. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have noted a significant backlog in new food business inspections and a decline in local authority food sampling rates.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently reinforced its guidance on food safety, with a particular emphasis on allergen management, traceability, and comprehensive hygiene protocols. This comes amidst persistent food safety incidents, highlighting the need for robust compliance. The HSE also continues to stress the critical role of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations within the food industry.

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COSHH is crucial for managing risks associated with cleaning agents, disinfectants, pest control chemicals, and even flour dust, which can cause respiratory diseases like occupational asthma. The HSE has intensified its focus on COSHH compliance in the food sector, urging businesses to review their assessments and control measures. Failure to comply can result in significant legal consequences, including substantial fines. For instance, a food manufacturing company was fined £80,000 in late 2023 for inadequate control of cleaning chemicals, leading to an employee suffering severe chemical burns. Another bakery faced a £50,000 fine for insufficient controls for flour dust.

New Regulations and Future Outlook

Beyond existing regulations, new requirements are also coming into effect. From July 1, 2024, all commercial premises in Ireland must comply with updated food waste management rules, requiring segregation and proper management of food waste to enhance recycling and reduce environmental impact. In the UK, as of January 1, 2024, pre-packaged food sold in Great Britain must include a UK address for the Food Business Operator (FBO), with EU or Northern Ireland addresses no longer being acceptable if the FBO is not UK-based.

These developments underscore a continually evolving regulatory landscape and the unwavering commitment of authorities to safeguard public health and employee well-being. Businesses in the food sector must remain proactive in reviewing their practices, investing in comprehensive training, and implementing stringent control measures to ensure full compliance and mitigate risks effectively.

For further information and professional development in health and safety, businesses can explore resources such as Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.