FSAI reports 13% increase in food complaints in 2011

Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) chief executive, Professor Alan Reilly
Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) chief executive, Professor Alan Reilly

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Brand Central

13 March 2012

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A total of 11,166 queries and complaints were handled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) advice line in 2011. Announcing details of the information requests and complaints last year, the FSAI stated that there was an increase of over 13% in 2011 in calls related to consumers reporting issues concerning food and food establishments. The 2,415 (2,126 in 2010) complaints ranged from reports of unfit food, low hygiene standards, inaccurate labelling information and suspected food poisoning. The 2,415 complaints lodged by consumers consisted of:

 
• 966 complaints of unfit food
• 497 complaints of suspect food poisoning
• 446 complaints of hygiene standards
• 137 complaints of incorrect information on food labelling
• 37 complaints of incorrect advertising of food products
• 332 other
 
The FSAI confirms that contamination with foreign objects was frequently reported by consumers. In 2011, these reports included food contaminated with live and dead insects; a tooth; a false nail; pieces of metal; plastic rubber tubing and a plaster. Specific incidents cited were a small dead rodent in a bag of bananas and a bolt complete with nut and washer in meatballs. 
Consumer concerns relating to food sold past its best-before date, where no information was displayed at the point of sale were received. Food legislation does not prevent a packaged food to be offered for sale past its best-before date, but it is strongly recommended to indicate to the consumer that the food is past its best-before date, so that they can make an informed choice before purchasing the product.
 
The FSAI advice line can be reached on lo-call 1890 336677. Alternatively, anyone can email an enquiry to info@fsai.ie or www.facebook.com/FSAI.
 

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