Food - Thurles Information

EPA Calls On Food Sector Businesses To Commit To Reducing Food Waste.

Approximately 800,000 tonnes of food waste is generated in Ireland each year.

Ireland has committed to halving food waste by 2030 under UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.

Signing the Food Waste Charter is a pledge to take action to reduce food waste.

Membership of the Food Waste Charter is open to businesses that produce, process, manufacture, distribute or sell food and drink and to supporting organisations that commit to championing the Food Waste Charter within their areas of responsibility.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched a new Food Waste Charter, calling on all businesses and State Agencies operating across the food supply chain to sign up and commit to reducing food waste. Building on the success of the first charter – which launched in 2017 and focused on the grocery retail sector—this new, more ambitious Charter, expands the call to action to every organisation in Ireland’s food supply chain.

Businesses signing up to the Food Waste Charter voluntarily commit to measure their food waste, set targets and take action to reduce food waste, and to report annually on progress.

The EPA’s Director General Ms Laura Burke, Minister Ossian Smyth (Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy), Minister Charlie McConalogue (Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine), and a number of supporting State Agencies and champion food sector businesses signed the Food Waste Charter at an event today at Farmleigh House, pledging their commitment to this Government of Ireland initiative.

Ms Laura Burke, EPA Director General, said: “With almost 800,000 tonnes of food waste generated in Ireland annually, meeting Ireland’s commitment to halve food waste by 2030 is very challenging, and we don’t have much time. We need to work together; every business along the food supply chain and in the food services sector must play their part to reduce food waste. These businesses are called on to sign the Food Waste Charter and make a commitment to prevent food waste.

Reducing food waste is an important climate action, with global food waste accounting for approximately 10% of global GHG emissions. Food waste is also costly, and many food and drink businesses are looking at more efficient production processes and innovation to reduce and prevent food waste. By signing up and actively engaging with the Food Waste Charter, businesses will have the opportunity to support their climate action goals and reduce their costs.”

Speaking at the event, Minister Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy said: “The Government is committed to making the circular economy a reality in Ireland and tackling food waste is one of the key steps the food sector must take to help us to a more sustainable pattern of production and consumption.

Signing up to the Food Waste Charter is a public demonstration of commitment to a collaborative and collective manner to address food waste. Wasting food that we produce and buy is not only a waste of money but a mismanagement of valuable resources in a time when we all need to make a concerted effort to protect and use our resources wisely.”

Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine said: “We all have a role to play in reducing food waste. I call on all stakeholders in the agri-food sector to sign up to the Food Waste Charter and pledge to participate in collective efforts to reduce food waste and food loss and to help ensure there is accuracy and consistency of measurement of food waste across the food supply chain.

Food is a precious and valuable resource. Reducing food waste helps our farmers, fishers, other food producers and our processors to be more viable and resilient, will help us to achieve our climate action targets and improve the sustainability of the food sector. When we reduce our food waste we show our respect for the safe and nutritious food that our primary producers and processors work all year round to provide.”

Businesses that sign up to the Food Waste Charter commit to measure (monitor and track their food waste), reduce (identify and take at least one target-based action to reduce food waste) and report (annually on progress towards measurable outcomes and achievements) on their food waste.

For more information see: The Food Waste Charter. State Agencies play a key role in supporting the food and drink sector in Ireland. Today five State Agencies (Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Teagasc) pledged their commitment to the Food Waste Charter.

Further information on the Food Waste Charter and how to sign up can be found at www.foodwastecharter.ie

Named Smoke Flavourings, No Longer Permitted In Food.

SF-007 & SF-010 No Longer Permitted In Food.

Smoking is traditionally used to help preserve certain foods such as fish, meat and dairy products and the smoking process also changes the flavour of foods. Smoke flavourings are produced by thermal degradation of wood and can be added to a range of different foods to give a “smoked” flavour.

All smoke flavourings need to be authorised for use before they can be placed on the EU market. There are currently 10 smoke flavourings authorised for use in the EU. These authorisations will expire on January 1st 2024. Renewal applications must have been submitted 18 months before the authorisation expires, i.e., June 2022.

Two smoke flavourings, SF-007 (Tradismoke™ A MAX) and SF-010 (AM 01) have not applied to renew their authorisation and as a result, will no longer be authorised for use in the EU,with effect from January 1st 2024.

[The authorisation holders for SF-007 (Tradismoke™ A MAX) and SF-010 (AM 01) is Nactis in France and AROMARCO, s.r.o, in Slovakia, respectively].

According to the provisions of Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) 2065/2003 no products containing SF-007 or SF-010 should be placed on the market* after the December 31st 2023. Products still under processing or raw materials provided by suppliers containing these two SF are also not permitted for use in the EU from January1st 2024.

Foods containing SF-007 or SF-010 that were placed on the market* prior to 1 January 2024 may remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or ‘use by’ date.

* “Placing on the market” includes all sales and supplies, including one-off sales, one-off supplies free of charge, and holding food for the purpose of sale. It covers food products which have already been produced by food business operators or imported and are being held with a view to sale or supply free of charge.

Oak Smoked Irish Organic Salmon Recalled Due To Presence Of Listeria monocytogenes.

Yesterday, Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recalled a batch of Wrights of Howth Oak Smoked Irish Organic Salmon, detailed herewith, due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The product, whose country of origin is Ireland; refers to Wrights of Howth, Oak Smoked Irish Organic Salmon; pack sizes: 120g, 240g, 350g; approval number: IE DN0022 EC; with Batch Code P13; use by date: 15.04.2023.

Nature Of Dangers Associated:

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.

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers and retailers are requested to immediately remove the implicated batch from sale and to display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Consumers are strongly advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Allergy Alert Notification – Food Safety Authority Of Ireland.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland warn of the possible presence of milk and hazelnuts in a batch of Tesco Free From Bran Flakes.

Product Identification:

Tesco Free From Bran Flakes; pack size: 300g. Best before date: 26th May 2024.

The batch of ‘Tesco Free From Bran Flakes’, [See Image left], may contain a small amount of another variant of cereal, latter which contains milk and hazelnuts.

These allergens are not declared on the label of Tesco Free From Bran Flakes.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk and/or nuts.

Cases Of Bird Flu Identified On Lough Derg.

The Department of Agriculture have issued a warning, following the discovery of bird flu in a number of sick and dead birds found near Dromineer, in North Co. Tipperary.

Same has resulted in a warning system being put in place through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Birdwatch Ireland, and the Regional Game Councils, seeking close surveillance on further signs of the possible HPAI strain in all wild birds. Members of the public are also being asked to contribute to this surveillance, by directly notifying the Department of Agriculture of any location where sick or dead wild birds have been identified.

It is understood that up to 50 dead birds have been found located within the Dromineer area, since the start of 2023, with the H5N1 subtype having been confirmed in the carcasses. In the past year, more than 90 wild birds with H5N1 HPAI have also been detected nationally

The H5N1 subtype viruses naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other animal species. However the risk to humans is considered very low; nevertheless sporadic human infections have indeed occurred.

Members of the public, (especially children attempting to catch sick birds), are therefore advised not to handle same, and to keep their dogs on a leash in known areas where sick or dead birds have already been identified.
Poultry flock owners are asked to remain vigilant for any signs of this disease in their flocks and to report any disease suspicion immediately to the Department of Agriculture.

In domestic poultry flocks the form of this virus is understood to present itself suddenly, with very high mortality, and with affected birds developing swollen heads, a blue colouration of the comb and wattle area [latter the skin under the chin], lack of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and a significant drop in egg production.

To date no evidence has been found to suggest there being any risk associated with the consumption of poultry meat or associated products of poultry meat, or indeed eggs.