The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has released its annual report revealing that a total of 8,596 complaints and queries were handled by its Advice Line in 2024. Of these, 4,996 were complaints from consumers – an increase of 13.7% compared to the 4,395 complaints received in 2023. This growth reflects a continuing upward trend over the past decade, suggesting heightened public awareness and concern regarding food safety standards in Ireland.
Unfit Food Tops the List of Complaints
The most frequently reported issue was unfit food, accounting for 32% of all complaints. Unfit food refers to food that is unsafe to eat, and many reports involved contamination with foreign objects such as plastic, insects, hairs, glass, metal, and stones.
Among the more alarming examples cited were a dead spider found in a loaf of brown bread, a large piece of rubber discovered in a protein bar, and a metal pin inside a pack of pre-packed prawns. There were also reports of a snail in a box of grapes, a live insect in a burrito bowl, and a large piece of metal embedded in a chocolate biscuit. Other issues raised included undercooked meats, food served cold when it should have been hot, and items with unpleasant or spoiled odours or tastes.
Suspected Food Poisoning Cases Continue to Increase
Suspected food poisoning was the second most reported complaint in 2024, making up 29% of the total. This marks a noticeable increase from the 23.3% reported in 2023. These cases underscore the importance of rigorous food safety protocols and highlight the critical role of proper Food Safety/HACCP training in preventing illness caused by contaminated or improperly handled food.
Poor Hygiene Standards Raise Red Flags
The third most reported category involved poor hygiene practices within food businesses. Complaints in this area included sightings of rodents on premises, staff not wearing appropriate clothing, and instances of poor personal hygiene – such as employees coughing or sneezing openly, failing to wash their hands, or using the same gloves to handle both food and money. Dirty environments, food being stored improperly (such as in boxes on the floor), and issues with refrigeration also featured prominently. These complaints highlight a pressing need for better hygiene management and ongoing Food Safety/HACCP training to ensure that all staff understand and implement essential food safety practices.
Full Breakdown of 2024 Complaints
The 4,996 consumer complaints received were categorised as follows: 1,597 complaints about unfit food, 1,449 related to suspected food poisoning, and 1,289 regarding hygiene standards. The remaining complaints included 169 on labelling issues, 156 categorised as other, 155 on allergen information, and 81 reports about unregistered food businesses. All complaints were investigated by food inspectors across the country to ensure appropriate action was taken.
Supporting Food Businesses Through Guidance and Training
Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive of the FSAI, stressed the importance of consumers and food businesses continuing to engage with the FSAI Advice Line. He noted that public reports play a crucial role in identifying unsafe food practices and protecting public health.
Mr Dempsey also emphasised the responsibility that food businesses have in complying with food legislation and ensuring the delivery of safe food at all times. He encouraged all food business operators to actively engage in Food Safety/HACCP training, highlighting its essential role in maintaining compliance and safeguarding public health.
Growing Industry Engagement and Training Needs
In addition to the consumer complaints, the FSAI received 3,600 queries from individuals in the food industry. These queries came from caterers, food manufacturers, retailers, and others seeking information on various topics such as how to start a food business, food labelling requirements, best practices, and food safety training. A significant number of these queries involved interest in Food Safety/HACCP training, indicating a positive shift toward more proactive and informed compliance within the industry.
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