Irish Authority Strengthens Food Safety With Robust New Strategy

01 Aug 2016 --- The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published its strategy for 2016 - 2018 setting out its core vision of safe and trustworthy food for everyone.

The body’s mission is to protect consumers by leading a collaborative food safety community to keep raising food standards and create a culture of excellence.

The FSAI aims to make sure food produced in Ireland is of the highest possible standards for the domestic market as well as export overseas.

FSAI says the new strategic approach will also reinforce its national and international reputation for excellence by continuing to review the regulatory landscape; industry innovations, advances in technology, new and emerging risks and globalization and lengthening of the food supply chain.

FSAI chairman Professor Michael Gibney says the organizations continues to put the consumer at the heart of its activities and the FSAI has a responsibility to make sure they are not being mislead about food.

“Our new strategy sets out a clear defined vision, mission, values and strategic goals that will guide the organization into 2018 and sets a new strategic platform for the future,” he says. “Delivering this strategy will require working in collaboration with our stakeholders, as well as the Irish and global food safety community to ensure access to timely and accurate information that underpins our risk assessment and risk management systems to ensure safe and trustworthy food for everyone.”

The five goals of the strategy are:

- Lead a culture where everyone is passionate about reaching the highest standards of food by providing a framework for regulating food which can be enforced whilst ensuring a partnership approach that engages stakeholders.

- Use the best scientific knowledge, evidence and expertise to underpin policy and risk analysis in respect of food safety. Strengthen engagement with national, European and international food safety. Inform and influence government food policy by providing independent and scientific advice.

- Ensure Ireland is recognized as a trusted leader in food safety and integrity by setting standards that are practical and work in partnership with consumer advocacy groups to address consumers’ need. Build capacity to allow Ireland to better react and deal with national or international food crisis incidents.

- Develop the ethos of the organization, foster a culture of respect, integrity and humility that supports equality. Deliver a robust system of corporate governance to ensure accountability, transparency and public value.

- Utilize technology as a foundation for innovation, adopt a digital-first approach to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. Enhance data collection to gain a deeper understand of the environment FSAI works in.

Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive, added: “ It is essential that we continue to work closely with the food safety inspectorate and the national laboratories to ensure they have the tools and materials to carry out their enforcement responsibilities. The overall strategic approach will allow us to build upon and strengthen the reputation of the FSAI by further developing our partnership approach that will ensure a robust food safety regulatory system that is responsive, relevant and progressive into the future.”

Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy also welcomes the strategy. “There is nothing more fundamental to our health than the food we eat each and every day. We all like to know that someone, somewhere, is safeguarding our interests to ensure that the food we serve and eat meets with the highest hygiene and food safety standards,” she says.