FSAI
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) was established as a statutory body by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998. Its main function is to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in Ireland meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
Food legislation is enforced on behalf of the FSAI by a network of official agencies working under service contract to the FSAI.
Enforcement of Food Safety Standards
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998 contains enforcement provisions which are in addition to the powers to prosecute and other provisions on specific pieces of food legislation. The provisions in the FSAI Act provide a means of reacting to and dealing with situations posing a risk to public health.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has the power to carry out the following in order to determine compliance with food legislation:
- The inspection, approval, licensing or registration of premises and equipment, including premises or equipment used in connection with the manufacture, processing, disposal, transport and storage of food.
- The inspection, sampling, and analysis of food and food including food ingredients.
- The inspection and analysis of food labelling.
In order to maintain full traceability, the Authority's remit includes farms, other places of primary production, water treatment plants and any other source of materials used in food production. The authority has a wide-ranging power to seek reports from any State body on a matter that, in its opinion, impinges on food safety and to report to the Minister for Health.
Other Agencies involved in Food Safety in Ireland are
- Health Service Executive – EHOs
- Department of Agriculture – Dairy Inspectors; Egg Inspectors; Agricultural Inspectors
- Office of Consumer Affairs
- Local Authority – Veterinary Inspectors
- Sea Fisheries Protection Authority –Fisheries Officers
Agency in UK for food safety is Food Standards Agency ( http://www.food.gov.uk/ )
