The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) have reported that 9 Enforcements have been served on Seafood businesses during the third quarter of 2022 for breaches of food safety legislation pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020. The Enforcements were issued by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers during risk based official controls. No closure orders were issued over this period.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is the Official Agency with responsibility for the enforcement of food law in the Seafood Sector up to the point of retail. Included under this remit is the assessment of food safety controls across the marine and aquaculture sectors. The SFPA has responsibility for the enforcement across a range of 2711 business operations nationally (Annual Report 2021).
Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers carried out 169 inspections in Q3 2022 in land-based establishments undertaking activities that require approval under Regulation 853/2004 on specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin based on the risk associated with the establishment and the processes undertaken within the establishment.
Commenting on the quarterly figures, SFPA Executive Chairman Paschal Hayes said; “assuring consumer trust in the quality, provenance and safety of our seafood produce are critical to achieving the collective ambitions for the sector. The SFPA, for its part, is committed to developing and supporting a culture of regulatory compliance across the seafood sector, adopting a risk-based approach to control, targeting additional resources at areas where the activity involved poses a higher risk of non-compliance. The low level of non-compliance found illustrates the considerable efforts being made by seafood businesses to work within the regulations, as well as the robust inspection system in place to assure and, where necessary, to enforce compliance.”
Ends
Note to Editor:
During Q3 2022, there were 9 enforcements notices served by SFPA inspectorate as follows:
- 6 Compliance Notices under S.I. 22/2020- European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020
- 1 Fixed Payment Notice under S.I. 22/2020- European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020
- 1 Improvement Notice under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998 (s.52).
- 1 Prohibition Order under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998