FSAI annual report shows rise in recalls and incidents

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) annual report has revealed a rise in food incidents, recalls, and enforcement but a decline in sampling.

In 2024, the food incidents team dealt with 796 incidents, which is up from 733 in 2023. Almost 500 were in the most serious category. Incidents of significant public health concern included Salmonella Hessarek in duck eggs, norovirus in oysters, three outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and peanut contamination of mustard powder imported from India via the UK.

FSAI and the Health Service Executive (HSE) investigated five recent cases of Salmonellosis linked to duck eggs. A STEC O26 outbreak was linked to raw cow’s milk. The source for another STEC O26 outbreak was not found despite investigations into berries, flour, and salads. For a STEC O157 outbreak, domestically grown herbs and salad leaves like kale, coriander and basil were potential sources. However, no definitive food vehicle was identified.

Multiple illnesses were recorded at an event in June 2024. A large proportion of attendees reported consuming oysters and had symptoms matching norovirus infection. Follow-up investigations with the supplier detected norovirus in a separate batch, prompting a recall. Heavy rainfall leading to overflows is suspected to have contributed to contamination with norovirus.

The food science and standards team was involved in alerts relating to the detection of Cronobacter in powdered infant formula, two foodborne outbreaks of E. coli, a case of infant botulism, and of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked fish.

A total of 126 warnings about food being recalled were issued in the form of 68 food alerts and 58 allergen alerts, an increase from 71 alerts in 2023.

Food safety concerns identified during fraud investigations led to the disposal of more than 70,500 kilograms of products of animal origin and of non-animal origin.

Enforcement and sampling details
In 2024, FSAI received almost 5,000 complaints from consumers with 1,597 regarding unfit food, 1,449 for suspected food poisoning, and 1,289 for poor hygiene standards. This was an increase compared to 4,395 complaints in 2023, which continues the upwards trend seen from 2020.

Inspectors served food businesses with 115 closure orders, two improvement orders, 16 prohibition orders, and undertook seven prosecutions against firms in Ireland. Five of these were taken by HSE and two by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. At 133, the number of enforcement orders was the second highest annual total since the authority was established.

Issues included a lack of pest control procedures; inadequate regular and thorough cleaning; failure to maintain correct temperatures of foodstuffs; unsuitable food storage facilities; and inadequate staff training in relation to food safety and hygiene.

There was a 12.1 percent increase in inspections to 67,480 across five agencies in 2024 compared with 2023. The number of staff working on official controls declined slightly to 1,635. In 2024, 53,055 samples were taken and tested, compared with 59,693 in 2023. There was a decline in sampling by local authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

FSAI received 25 requests under the Freedom of Information Act of 2014. Of these, five were granted, six were partially granted, and 13 were refused.

Pending audit reports include one on compliance in the takeaway service sector and another on official controls in poultry plants, which covered Salmonella controls. FSAI is also doing a survey on Listeria in ready-to-eat pre-packaged sandwiches and salad products mixed with dressings.

The Food and Drug Administration carries out surveillance inspections to ensure that food businesses in Ireland that supply to the U.S. meet requirements in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). In September 2024, the FDA undertook six inspections of companies in Ireland.

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