Research shows high trust in food safety in Ireland
Nine in ten consumers consider food safe in Ireland, while majority of industry (58%) believe food is safer than five years ago
Print8 February 2024
New research shows that consumers believe that food safety in Ireland has improved in the past five years, with some nine in ten people considering food in Ireland safe.
Comprehensive industry and consumer research undertaken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has revealed that overall food safety concerns by the food industry have also reduced. This is attributed to what the industry perceives as robust regulations combined with their increased knowledge of food safety procedures and robust controls by food inspectors.
Business concerns
The FSAI national attitudinal research shows that the increased costs of doing business are cited by more than three in four (76%) of food businesses as the top issue affecting the industry and this is followed by concerns over the availability of staff (46%).
The research also highlights that despite increased confidence in Irish food being safe to eat, numerous food safety issues remain for food businesses. Food allergens, food hygiene and handling, as well as food poisoning rank as the greatest food safety concerns for Irish food businesses, with over a third of food businesses listing these in their top three concerns.
‘A matter of pride’
The research was launched by Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing & the National Drugs Strategy at the Department of Health who said: “It is a matter of pride that Ireland continues to be a leader in food safety matters. Our science and evidence-based approach to food safety maintains the integrity of, and trust in, our food chain.
“It is reassuring that this new research shows that consumers believe that food safety in Ireland has improved in the past five years,” she added. “I applaud the FSAI for being proactive in undertaking this research – gauging industry and consumer priorities, and ensuring that our food safety systems are geared to meet our future needs.”
The FSAI undertook two comprehensive research surveys with both industry and consumers to seek attitudes on food safety, sustainable food, and food safety regulation. Overall, there is strong confidence in food safety measures among industry and consumers, with the industry also acknowledging the importance of food safety regulations in Ireland.
Sustainability findings
Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI, stated the research indicates that there is a strong trust in food safety amongst both industry and consumers. She also acknowledged there is some debate about sustainable foodstuffs and a divergence in consumers believing in the need for more food sustainability, but this is not making an impact on their purchasing decisions.
“The research findings also show that whilst sustainable packaging and recycling are areas where food businesses are making significant efforts, there are barriers to more widespread adaption of sustainability in food businesses,” Dr Byrne said. “The barriers include cost and the fact the food industry perceives that sustainability is a low priority for consumers. This perception is then affirmed by our consumer research findings that even though over three-quarters of consumers cite the importance of food produced sustainably, just two in five consumers actually make decisions about food choices based on how sustainable a food product is.”
The research reveals that some three in five food businesses claim that their company currently seeks to produce, source, or supply food more sustainably. Whilst one in five (21%) businesses expressed that sustainability initiatives make it harder to adhere to food safety regulations, almost eight in ten (79%) believe that supplying food more sustainably will have no impact on adhering to food safety regulations. From a sustainability perspective, most consumers, three in four (76%) say it is important that food is produced in a sustainable way. Whilst three in four (74%) consumers would like strict deadlines imposed on manufacturers to improve the use of plastic, there was a strong understanding of the importance of packaging in terms of food safety and authenticity (67%) and preserving shelf-life (63%).
Other key findings from the food businesses research reveal that overall, there are high levels of confidence in food safety measures for both the Irish food industry and those working in their specific sector, with nearly nine out of ten (87%) feeling confident in food safety standards. The industry cited carcinogenic or cancer-causing chemicals as a worry, with one in three (36%) citing them as a concern, with pesticides and antibiotic residues following close behind.
Consumer trends
In terms of consumer trends, the research also found that some four in ten (45%) people prepare meals at home from scratch using fresh ingredients daily and this rises to seven in ten (81%) doing so twice or three times per week. Some three in ten (35%) order take away food at least weekly. Whilst almost three in five (56%) people check and adhere to use-by dates, a further two in five (40%) say that whilst they check them, they don’t always follow the product’s expiry dates.
Role of FSAI
“The FSAI is one of Europe’s first food safety regulatory agencies and over nine out of ten consumers in Ireland are aware of our role in protecting them in relation to food safety and that is to be warmly welcomed,” Dr Byrne added. “Food businesses understand our role too and we will continue to be responsive to their concerns and available to them to advise them on compliance. The FSAI continues to work in partnership with Environmental Health Officers, veterinary inspectors and sea-fisheries inspection officers to ensure that food safety regulations are complied with, and that food produced in Ireland continues to maintain its reputation as being amongst the safest in the world.”
*(Source: Two research surveys undertaken – a nationally representative sample of key decision makers in food industry and a nationally representative sample of adults in Ireland. Research undertaken by Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) between 12 October and 6 November 2023.)
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