Food « Thurles Information

Concern For Irish Consumers When Buying Food.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last week welcomed the EU-wide research conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The 2022 Eurobarometer on food safety, the first to be commissioned since 2019, and focused on a range of topics including concerns about food safety, trust in sources of information on food risks, and personal interest in food safety.

When asked about factors affecting food purchases, Irish consumers ranked cost (63%) as the most important consideration, with taste (54%) and food safety (52%) following close behind. Strikingly, these results are higher overall than the average top concerns across the whole EU of cost (54%), taste (51%) and food safety (46%).

Other findings from the Eurobarometer include:

Chief among Irish food safety concerns are food poisoning from food or drinks contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and parasites (39%); pesticide residues in food (36%); and additives like colours, preservatives or flavourings used in food or drinks (29%).
A strong majority of Irish consumers (82% of men and 83% of women) would change their behaviour if made aware of a foodborne disease outbreak news story, with 90% of those aged 15–24 stating they would do so.
When asked for their reasons for not engaging with the EU food safety system, Irish consumers (47%) responded; “I take it for granted that the food sold is safe”.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI said, “In the current high cost of living climate and with rising household bills, it is not surprising to see that Irish consumers report cost as the main factor when purchasing food, up 6% since 2019. However, from a food safety perspective, it is encouraging to see that Irish consumers place food safety as the third most important factor when buying food.

Over 1,000 Irish consumers were interviewed as part of this research, and 90% of those agreed that regulations are in place to ensure that the food we eat is safe, with 84% of the same respondents trusting national authorities as a source of information on food risk, a figure almost 20% higher than the EU average (66%).

75% of Irish people interviewed said they had a personal interest in the topic of food safety. We want every Irish consumer to know that the FSAI is responsive and understanding of their concerns regarding food safety. We continue to work with food businesses in Ireland to ensure that food safety regulations are complied with and that Ireland maintains its positive reputation for producing safe food. Working in conjunction with the food inspectorate and other EU food safety authorities, we will continue to protect consumers and raise compliance through partnership, science, and food law enforcement,” Dr Byrne concluded.

Ready To Cook Southern Fried Chicken Fillets Recalled Due to Presence of Salmonella.

The product recalled is the Dunnes Stores, 4 Ready To Cook Southern Fried Chicken Fillets (Frozen); pack size: 500g, with best before date: March 1st 2024, and with the country of origin being the United Kingdom.

Dunnes Stores are recalling the above batch due to the presence of Salmonella. Point-of-sale recall notices are displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch.

People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours.
The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have more severe illness.

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Holycross Village Market, Saturday Afternoon Next.

Fiona Gleeson, The Village Market, Holycross reports:

“Come and join us this Saturday afternoon, September 3rd, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at ‘The Village Market’, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

This is your community space to meet and enjoy local quality foods, gifts and crafts.

There are lots of spaces to sit and enjoy a hot lunch, coffee and a chat, with delicious home baked treats and fresh in season produce available to purchase.

We will have new and familiar talented crafters and artists at each market, where you can pick up unique crafts, gifts and paintings for all occasions. We have lots of plants and advice for the garden too.
Note: Free parking. Free admission. Live busking.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and thank you for visiting and supporting The Village Market.”

Two Thurles Eateries Honoured At Irish Restaurant Awards Night.

Not surprisingly, two Thurles eateries were honoured at the Munster Regional Finals of the Irish Restaurant Awards on Friday night last.

Naomi’s Café, situated on Friar Street, Thurles, took the award for ‘Best Café ‘, [Sponsored by Illy], while Mitchel House Restaurant on Mitchel Street, Thurles took the award for ‘Best Customer Service‘. [Sponsored By Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen]

Both Thurles establishments will now go forward to the All-Ireland finals, latter which will take place on September 19th, next, in the Dublin Convention Centre.

Full details of the Munster Regional Award Winners 2022 Announced can be viewed HERE.

Doors Close On Oldest London Irish Bar “The Tipperary”.

Possibly London’s oldest Irish pub “The Tipperary”, latter situated at No 66 Fleet Street on the south side, in the city, has finally and sadly, had its doors closed for the last time.

A notice on its door states that Equivo Ltd have re-entered and secured these premises under an Interim Possession Order, issued in the County Court, dated 9th August 2022.

The Tipperary, was one of London’s oldest and most historic of Irish bars, having changed its name from the “Boars Head” after it was rebuilt following the ‘Great Fire of London’ in 1666.
The premises was understood to have been one of the first such licenced hostelries to serve Guinness to Irish emigrants.

Fleet Street in London was once a metonym for the British national press, with pubs on the street once frequented by journalists. However, much of the printing and publishing industry moved out of the area in the 1980s, after News International set up cheaper manufacturing premises in Wapping, East London.