A new initiative aimed at encouraging companies to adhere to food safety regulations and to provide a better standard of food has been launched by the Food Safety Authority (FSAI).
A recent survey carried out by the FSAI involving all sectors of the food industry showed that only 28 per cent of businesses were concerned about food safety. Confidence in food safety measures within their own sector was cited by 89 per cent. However, many were concerned about the food safety practices of their suppliers.
A total of 52 food businesses were issued Closure Orders under the FSAI Act for breaches of food safety legislation in 2001.
The FSAI is urging over 41,000 food premises and all farmers and animal feed suppliers throughout the country to proactively demand, and receive assurance of high standards and adherence to food safety regulations from their suppliers. They say food businesses should only purchase products from suppliers who operate to the highest food safety practices.
The initiative which will involve a national advertising campaign as well as industry focused initiatives to encourage all in the food chain - including farmers, animal feed suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and caterers - to demand and receive assurance of high standards from suppliers.
According to the Dr Patrick Wall, chief executive of FSAI, the protection of consumers' health is paramount and should come before profit or any other consideration.
"Traceability is an important component of food safety because if you don't know where the food comes from, how can you be sure safe practices have been adhered to in its preparation. If standards are raised throughout the food chain businesses' reputations and consumers' health will be protected," he said.
"Each businesses' reputation is only as good as its weakest supplier. Every food business has to play its part if consumers are to be reassured that their interests are placed first and shoddy practices are eradicated," he added.