New Food Safety Culture Guidelines Published to Help Irish Businesses Meet Legal Requirements

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has published new guidance to support food businesses in establishing and maintaining appropriate food safety cultures, a legal requirement under EU regulations. The resource includes practical self-assessment tools and prepares businesses for inspections.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today published a new Guidance Note on Food Safety Culture, designed to help food businesses across the country meet their legal obligations whilst protecting consumers from foodborne illness.

The guidance aims to embed food safety into everyday business practices, providing a framework for both operators and inspectors to assess how well safety measures are integrated into workplace culture. According to the FSAI, food safety culture encompasses how managers and employees consistently think and act in their roles, reflecting a commitment to safety at every level.

The new resource contains practical tools including self-assessment checklists and questionnaires, enabling businesses to evaluate their own culture and prepare for official inspections.

The FSAI states that an appropriate food safety culture can maintain high hygiene standards, keep consumers safe from illness, improve communication among staff, increase transparency, and help prevent problems arising from unsafe food practices.

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 whilst 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 includes a training module on food safety culture that can be used alongside the new guidance note.

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