Food « Thurles Information

FSAI Publishes Guidance Note On Food Safety Culture.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today published a new Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture, which aims to support food businesses in meeting their legal requirements to establish and maintain an appropriate food safety culture in their business. This new resource will assist food businesses in embedding food safety into their everyday practices and will also provide a framework for inspectors to assess food safety culture during inspections.

To produce safe food, behaviour and awareness must align with safe food practices. Food safety culture encompasses how everyone, including managers and employees, think and act in their job on a consistent basis. It reflects the commitment to food safety at every step and within every role. The Guidance Note contains practical tools such as a self-assessment checklist and questionnaires to help businesses evaluate their own culture and prepare for inspections.

By increasing awareness and adopting safe food behaviours, an appropriate food safety culture can:

Maintain high food safety and hygiene standards and regulatory compliance.
Aid in keeping consumers safe from foodborne illness.
Increase transparency and improve communication among all employees.
Help prevent problems that results from unsafe food.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: “Having the right food safety knowledge and skills is not just a regulatory requirement; it is essential for building and sustaining an appropriate food safety culture within a food business. This reduces food safety incidents, protects public health and also strengthens consumer trust and brand reputation. Our new Guidance Note is designed to support businesses in meeting their legal obligations while embedding best practices that safeguard consumers and support a stronger, safer food system. We encourage all food business operators to make full use of this new resource and commit to promoting a positive food safety culture.”

The FSAI’s Learning Portal also has a training module on food safety culture to assist food businesses that can be used in tandem with the Guidance Note.

Under an amendment to EU Regulation 852/2004, all food businesses with the exception of primary producers are now required to establish, maintain, and provide evidence of an appropriate food safety culture, taking in account the size and nature of the food business.

Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture HERE

Medicinal Product In Various Life Extension Food Supplements.

Medicinal product (melatonin) not permitted in food products present in various Life Extension food supplements.

Alert Summary dated Thursday October 2nd 2025

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.53.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: All batch codes and all best before dates.

Message: The below Life Extension food supplements contain melatonin, a medicinal product which should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional. In Ireland, melatonin is regulated as a medicinal product when authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority and it is not permitted in food supplements available on the Irish market.

Product.	Pack size.
Fast-Acting Liquid Melatonin.	59ml.
Melatonin IR/XR.	60 capsules.
Melatonin 1 mg.	60 capsules.
Melatonin 6 Hour Timed Release.	60 vegetarian capsules.
Melatonin 3 mg.	60 vegetarian capsules.

Nature Of Danger: In Ireland, melatonin is a prescription medication, is not authorised in food and should only be taken under medical supervision. Use with caution if you have depression, bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, or seizure disorders. Common side effects can include drowsiness, headaches, vivid dreams and confusion. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking melatonin
There remain concerns about its long-term effects when used by children.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:

Retailers and Online Sellers: Same are requested to remove the implicated products from sale.

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to consume the implicated products.

Recall Of Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red & Mozzarella Cheese.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall a batch of Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red and Mozzarella cheese.

Alert Summary dated Thursday,October 2nd 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.54
Product Identification: Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red & Mozzarella cheese; pack size: 200 g; approval number: IE 1099 EC
Batch Code: Best before date: 30/11/2025 (A, B, C and D)
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The above batch of Ardagh Lighter Grated Mild Red & Mozzarella cheese is being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in Aldi stores.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

FSAI Recall Macroom Buffalo Buffaloumi Due To Presence Of Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Safety Of Ireland recall a batch of Macroom Buffalo Buffaloumi due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Alert Summary Dated Tuesday, September 30th 2025

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.51
Product Identification: Macroom Buffalo Buffaloumi; pack size: 180g
Batch Code: 3107; use by date: 20.01.26
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The above batch of Macroom Buffalo Buffaloumi is being recalled due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers & Retailers:

Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Wholesalers and Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batch and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers.

Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

FSAI Warn Of Milk In Batch of Malabar Choice Peri Peri Murukku.

Presence of milk in a batch of Malabar Choice Peri Peri Murukku.

Alert Summary Dated Tuesday, September 30th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A34.
Allergen: Milk.
Product Identification: Malabar Choice Peri Peri Murukku; pack size: 150g.
Batch Code: DFE 09; best before date: APR 2026.
Country Of Origin: India.

Message: Milk protein was detected in the above batch of Malabar Choice Peri Peri Murukku.
Milk is not declared on the list of ingredients.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batch.
The affected batch is being recalled.