Quick-frozen food Quick-freezing, packaging, labelling and inspection of quick-frozen foodstuffs are harmonised at European level. Quick-frozen foodstuffs must be labelled as “quick-frozen” and indicate the batch identification. The freezing temperature must be -18°C or lower, except during transport and delivery. The only cryogenic media authorised are air, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Council Directive 89/108/EEC of […]
Category: Food Safety
Infants Cereals [EU]
Processed cereal-based foods Processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children are very closely monitored in the European Union. The legislation lays down harmonised standards for the composition (list of authorised products) and labelling of products of this type. Pesticide residues which may endanger the health of this sensitive population group are […]
Nutrition Claims [EU]
Nutrition labelling Nutrition labelling is harmonised throughout the European Union. It is optional, but becomes compulsory if a nutrition claim appears on the label or in advertising. Council Directive 90/496/EEC of 24 September 1990 on nutrition labelling rules of foodstuffs [See amending act(s)]. This Directive concerns nutrition labelling of foodstuffs for the final consumer and […]
Product Liability [EU]
Defective products: liability European legislation has approximated the laws of the Member States concerning liability for products in order to ensure a high level of consumer protection against damage caused to health or property by a defective product. The injured person has three years within which to seek compensation. Council Directive 85/374/EEC of 25 July […]
Food Standards
The Food Standards Act 1974 facilitates the establishment and enforcement of standards for food for human consumption. Food refers to any substance used for food or drink by man and any substance which enters or is used in the composition or preparation of human food, substances which enter into or is used in the composition […]
Food Safety Authority
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is established as an independent body. Its function is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that food produced in the State distributed or marketed in the State, meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available. It shall take, in particular, all reasonable steps to ensure […]
Enforcement
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland may carry out inspections or may arrange by contract for the inspection, approval, licensing and registration of premises and equipment. This includes • the inspection of premises or equipment used in connection with the manufacture, processing, disposal, transport or storage of food; • the inspection, sampling, and analysis of […]
Administration
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has or delegates enforcement powers. Enforcement is carried out by authorised officers and agent. The Food Safety Authority may make an improvement order. An improvement notice is issued in the first instance wherein the opinion of the authorised officer and the activity involving handling, preparation of food or the […]
Sale of Food
Food must not be placed on the market if it is unsafe. It is unsafe, if it is injurious to health or unfit for human consumption. In determining whether a food is unsafe regardless is had to the normal conditions of use of the food by the consumer at each stage of production, distribution and […]
Food Safety Law
Irish food safety law embraces a very wide range of legislation. The volume of legislation is very considerable and deals with every aspect of food production and manufacture. There still exists older 19th and early 20th century legislation relating to food safety and in particular food hygiene in relation to the production of meat, cereal […]
Particular Requirements
Fortification of Food There are a range of nutrients and ingredients which can be included in the manufacture of food including vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fatty acids, fibre extracts. Their addition is subject to EU regulation. Vitamins and minerals may not be added to unprocessed food including fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry and fish. The […]
Food Imports & Exports
Food imported into the EU must comply with the requirements of EU food law or other laws recognised as equivalent under an agreement with third-country. They must comply with any conditions of that agreement. Food importers must withdraw food if they have any reason to believe there is non-compliance with any of the requirements. The […]
Food Labelling
There is labelling legislation applicable across the European Union on pre-packaged foodstuffs intended for sale to consumers or catering industries. Labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs must be clear, must not be misleading to a material degree, must be unambiguous. It must not attribute qualities to foodstuff such as prevention or cure of human illness. […]
Food Business Operators
European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations, 2005 require that primary food producers and feed producers be registered with the Department of Agriculture. Certain activities must be specifically licensed. The general EU regulation on food business operators and the hygiene of food stuff is applicable at all stages of production from processing, distribution, export to […]
Food of Animal Origin
Food business operators that store and transport meat of domestic bovines, porcines, ovine and caprine animals and domestic solipeds must comply with the following requirements. Unless otherwise provided, post-mortem inspection must be followed immediately by chilling in the slaughterhouse to ensure a temperature of not more than three degree Celsius for offal and seven degree […]
Food Safety Controls [EU]
Overview The importation of food products from outside the EU requires compliance with EU and UK hygiene safety, labelling and food composition regulations. The hazard analysis and critical control point after the primary production stage (HACCP) system is used. Non-EU suppliers must have equivalent systems in place. Food businesses after primary production must work in […]
Food Safety Pre-Consumer [EU]
EU Food Hygiene Law The purpose of food legislation is to prevent or eliminate risks arising either directly or via the environment for humans and animals and reduce risks to an acceptable level. to guarantee fair practices as regards trade in food and feed and the protection of consumer interests including food labelling and other […]
Food Labelling [EU]
Labelling and presentation of foodstuffs. EU directives deal with the labelling, packaging, and presentation of prepackaged foodstuffs. It applies to foodstuffs to be delivered to a final consumer or to intermediaries such as restaurants, canteens, hospitals, similar persons who cater en masse. It does not apply to products intended for export outside the European Union. […]