Safefood appoints Joanne Uí Chrualaoich as new CEO
Under her leadership, Safefood noted that it is prioritising the development of its first long-term strategy, Safefood 2036
Print26 February 2026
Safefood has announced the appointment of Joanne Uí Chrualaoich as its new chief executive officer.
A Cork-based scientist and public health leader with over 18 years of experience across government, academia, and industry, Uí Chrualaoich steps into the role at a pivotal time, as shifts in how, where and what people eat across the island heighten the importance of Safefood’s work.
Wealth of experience
Uí Chrualaoich joins Safefood from the Department of Health (IE), where she served as head of Population Health Screening and Cardiovascular Policy.
Her career also includes 16 years at University College Cork’s School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, where she was Director of the Food Industry Training Unit.
Commenting on her appointment, JUí Chrualaoich, said: “The work of Safefood is a cornerstone of the all-island health and food safety infrastructure, and I am delighted to lead an implementation body that remains central to North-South cooperation.
“Growing up in a border community, I have a deep appreciation for the vital role these partnerships play.
“My goal is to leverage my experience in both the food and health sectors to drive organisational growth while maintaining the strong, collaborative links I have built with colleagues in both the Department of Health in Dublin and the Department of Health in Belfast.”
“Science-meets-behaviour”
Trained as both a chemist and a psychologist, Uí Chrualaoich brings a unique “science-meets-behaviour” approach to the agency’s mandate.
‘This dual expertise is critical to Safefood’s mission of transforming rigorous scientific evidence into practical, trusted advice for the public.’
Under Uí Chrualaoich’s leadership, Safefood noted that it is prioritising the development of its first long-term strategy, Safefood 2036.
This project aims to look beyond immediate work programmes to address how rapid changes in technology, supply chains, and consumer habits will impact public health over the next decade.
Read more: Dublin Food Projects benefit from Safefood
© 2026, ShelfLife by Donna Ahern
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