Food Safety Under Pressure: A UK & Ireland Overview
Recent reports from both the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) indicate a worrying trend in foodborne illnesses, alongside a significant increase in enforcement actions against food businesses. These developments underscore the critical importance of robust food safety management systems and continuous vigilance in the food sector across both nations. Regulatory bodies are strengthening guidance and implementing stricter controls, putting the onus on businesses to enhance their compliance and protect public health.
UK Faces Surge in Foodborne Illnesses and Enhanced Guidance
The UK has experienced a notable rise in several key foodborne pathogens. According to UKHSA data, Campylobacter infections in England increased by 17.1%, from 60,055 cases in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching the highest number recorded in the past decade. Similarly, Salmonella infections also hit a ten-year high, increasing by 17.1% from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 in 2024. Children under 10 years old were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5% of Salmonella cases. Furthermore, an increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections has been observed, with one STEC O145 outbreak in summer 2024 alone resulting in over 250 cases linked to contaminated leafy greens. Listeriosis cases also saw a 12.7% increase in England and Wales in 2023 compared to the five-year median, with seven outbreaks linked to smoked fish, soft cheese, and beef products.
In response to these trends, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reinforced its guidance on food safety for businesses operating across the United Kingdom. This renewed focus aims to minimise foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions, placing 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 procedures, dedicated equipment where necessary, 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. 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. The FSA has also 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.
Ireland Witnesses Escalating Enforcement and Stricter Listeria Controls
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported a substantial 45% increase in Enforcement Orders issued to food businesses in 2024, with a total of 133 orders compared to 92 in 2023. This surge underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining robust food safety standards across the country. These orders, which include 115 Closure Orders, 16 Prohibition Orders, and 2 Improvement Orders, are issued only 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. Consumer complaints to the FSAI's Advice Line also saw a notable increase, with almost 5,000 complaints in 2024, a 13.7% rise from 2023. The most frequent complaints concerned unfit food (32%), suspected food poisoning (29%), and poor hygiene standards.
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In a significant development, the 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 aims to raise microbiological standards and enhance public health protection, particularly for vulnerable populations. The new regulations mandate more sensitive testing methods and require robust safety management procedures, 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 concerns regarding listeriosis, with the FSAI confirming an adult death linked to listeriosis in 2025 as part of an extensive outbreak that led to the voluntary precautionary recall of 141 ready-made products sold in major retailers.
COSHH and RIDDOR in Focus
Beyond food safety, the HSE has also 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.
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.
Regarding RIDDOR, the HSE has updated its guidance to improve clarity and utility in reporting workplace incidents. While the legal requirements remain unchanged, improvements include clearer definitions of 'work-related' accidents and who should report, alongside reorganised online forms to streamline the process. The latest provisional 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.
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.