The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) 2023 Annual report, published last month, includes a summary of food fraud investigations and outcomes (see p61 onwards).
The FSAI Audits, Incidents and Investigations team conducted 57 investigations and 21 online investigations. These ranged from warranted searches of premises to the monitoring of social media pages in cases where the online operation of unauthorised food businesses was suspected. Outcomes included three Closure Orders, two Prohibition Orders and four Compliance Notices. Food safety concerns identified during these investigations necessitated the removal and disposal of more than 141,806 kg of products of animal origin. The FSAI engaged with online platforms (such as Facebook and Instagram) where illegal food businesses were selling products online. This engagement resulted in two unregistered food businesses’ pages being taken down by the social media sites.
In overview, the report highlights a rise in “complex” food incidents.
