Food Safety Authority of Ireland
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland was established under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998. The principal function of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in Ireland meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available and to ensure that food complies with legal requirements, or where appropriate with recognised codes of good practice.
The Authority is a statutory, independent and science-based body, dedicated to protecting public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene. Decisions relating to food safety and hygiene take account of the latest and best scientific advice and information available.
The Authority has national responsibility for co-ordinating the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. The FSAI is responsible for:
• Putting consumer interests first and foremost
• Providing advice to Ministers, regulators, the food industry and consumers on food safety issues
• Ensuring the co-ordinated and seamless delivery of food safety services to an agreed high standard by the various state agencies involved
• Ensuring that food complies with legal requirements, or where appropriate, with recognised codes of good practice
• Working with the food industry to gain their commitment in the production of safe food
• Setting food standards based on sound science and risk assessment
• Risk management in association with front line agencies and the food sector, and communicating risks to consumers, public health professionals and the food industry.
Abbey Court
Lower Abbey Street
Dublin 1
