The winners of this year’s Food Safety Professionals Awards were St. Patricks University Hospital (Dublin), Sodexo at Novartis (Cork), The Farm Gate Midleton (Cork), Colaiste Na Rinne (Co. Waterford) and Waterford Institute of Technology. These organisations were recognized for their excellence in food safety across a number of criteria including structural and operational hygiene, food safety and protection, personal hygience and staff facilities as well as food safety management systems documentation.
Now in their second year, the awards encourage food businesses to reach for and maintain high standards of food safety.
The dangers associated with food allergies and cross contamination of foods were the topic of discussion at the Food Safety Professionals Association (FSPA) conference.
“Food safety is of vital importance in the food manufacturing, retail, hospitality and catering sector if Ireland is to maintain its excellent reputation for food quality”, explained Lorraine Oman, Chair of the Food Safety Professionals Association (FSPA).
“Through the FSPA’s nationwide support network, we provide FETAC accredited training and expert advice on food safety and each year we acknowledge those in the industry who have been exemplary in their adoption of food safety policies”, Oman said.
“Recent outbreaks of E.Coli serve as an important reminder that food safety is not just a legal requirement but a moral obligation”, said Tom Doorley, who presented the FSPA Awards today. “As a nation of food producers, we must ensure that the excellent quality and flavor of our food is matched by equally impressive food safetystandards. The work of the FSPA and their network of advisors and trainers in Ireland ensure that expertise andsupport is on hand to help our food businesses”.
Food allergens and cross contamination of food allergens was the focus of the FSPA event, with an excellent line up of speakers including Adrian Cummins of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, Simon Flanagan of Safefood and Simon Flanagan of University of Reading. A lively panel discussion ensued on the food allergies and the related health risks and dangers and how the food industry in Ireland needs to manage allergens and cross contamination.
