BRITISH RETAIL CONSORTIUM (BRC) GLOBAL STANDARD

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety is one of the most prominent certification standards and has been adopted by food retailers and food manufacturers all around the world. It is an international Food Safety Management Systems Standard and is one of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized certification schemes. The […]

The importance of allergen awareness

A food allergy is an abnormal reaction of a person’s immune system to certain proteins in food. These proteins are known as “allergens” and these reactions at times can be fatal.  Incidences with allergens in developed countries has shown a steady rise since the 1950’s. In Ireland it is estimated that 3% of the population […]

Remote Working during Covid-19

How are you getting on at home?   Since March most Irish workers are working from home and employers are managing their team remotely. Indications are that this working model will remain. People are saving time and travel costs but stress levels may not be lowered.   It is now time to ask, “how are […]

Takeaway in the time of Covid

In these challenging times takeaway is most hospitality businesses only option due to a lack of outdoor space. Takeaways have their own obstacles such as a lack of revenue generation in comparison to full table service or the wider group of competitors in recent weeks. Below are a few novel ways of competing while increasing […]

Outside Dining in the time of Covid-19

This is a fast and affordable way of accommodating more people at an establishment in an effort to offset the loss in sales from government regulations. Many businesses failed to treat outdoor seating areas as an extension of their interior seating and instead saw it as it has always been, a few chairs put out […]

COVID-19: Tips for using and maintaining café and restaurant PPE

This article was submitted by Alliance Online Ireland. With cafés and restaurants in Ireland allowed to re-open, many have had to quickly adapt to new rules for using PPE. In this article, John Girvan, from catering experts Alliance Online Ireland, shares some essential tips for using and maintaining your PPE. Last month saw the long […]

Need to serve food to reopen your pub?

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected nearly every business, but the public houses are still under the strain of enforced closures. To keep business going and prevent mass permanent closures some pubs have taken the initiative to serve simple food to the value of €9 per person. The Food Safety Company has been working with […]

Recommendations for Care Homes

The Covid-19 pandemic is an extremely difficult time for everyone but the elderly population has been particularly affected. ‘This can be seen in the statistic that 79% of all deaths from Covid-19 were in the over 75 age group in Ireland’. Minister Mary Butler who has responsibility for older people issued a report on how […]

Are Dark Kitchens the Future?

The phrase ‘Dark Kitchen’ has been popping up in recent years but with the recent COVID-19 pandemic this phenomenon has taken on a life of its own. A ‘Dark Kitchen’ is a kitchen only used to supply takeaway food with no option for sit in dining. As takeaways represent a staggering 1.45 billion to the […]

Useful Return To Work Policy

Return to Work Form If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (common symptoms include; temperature of 38oC or above, a new persistent cough, or shortness of breath or breathing difficulties) you must not come to work. You will need to restrict movements, including staying at home from work, if you do not have symptoms but you […]

Reopening of Food Businesses

As we approach the 5th of May, many food business operators are preparing contingency plans regarding how they can begin reopening- even if only partially; once restrictions allow them to do so. In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, there has been an abundance of guidance issued to food businesses regarding how to ensure the safety […]

Advice for food business operators – COVID-19

Advice for Food Business Operators Today we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation, one which most of us had no contingency plans to cover. We try to prepare for every possibility, every unexpected event or adverse weather condition, however, no one could have prepared us for this. Maybe it is our own fault, for reacting […]

Coronavirus Policy (COVID-19)

Coronavirus are a family of viruses that cause respiratory illness including the common cold, seasonal flu, SARS and MERS. COVID-19 is a new strain. The coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets; 1. Directly, for example coughing & sneezing directly on foods. 2. Indirectly, for example contact with an infected surface. The symptoms The […]

Food Safety in Bakeries

In the following post I will outline and explain the main dangers to food safety within a Bakery setting. Bakeries tend to be low risk in terms of food safety as most ingredients used do not support the growth of food poisoning bacteria. However, where eggs, butter and milk are involved there is potential for […]

The Enforcement of Tobacco Regulations

The Food Safety Company is aware of the increasing number of inspections of Smoking Areas. We have been advising our clients on acceptable perimeter walls and roofs for many years. Lately, we see an increased vigilance on behalf of the Environmental Health Officers in this area of Tobacco Control. These outdoor spaces are very valuable […]

Food Fraud – a challenge for the the food and drinks industry

In recent years food fraud has become much more of an issue for consumers as global food supply has become so complex that it is almost impossible for food producers and retailers to guarantee the provenance of their products. This has spurred initiatives to address these growing concerns. The effects of a food fraud can […]

Is your food business compliant with food safety regulations?   In November, The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served 13 Closure Orders and 1 Prohibition Order on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation.  Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders last month include: pest infestations; incorrect labelling; no food safety management […]

First Aid and Food Safety: Are you compliant?

Similar to Food Safety (HACCP), First aid is essential for every workplace and is a legal requirement under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. First Aid knowledge is invaluable for both you as the individual Food Business Owner but also for your fellow co-workers and for general work place safety in your […]

Food Allergens – Your Business, Your Responsibility

It has been remarkable and sad the fresh emphasis on Food Allergen Control this month. The high profile Pret a Manger case where a young girl died from a sesame seed contaminated baguette to the jailing of the Owner and Take Away Manager of Royal Spice for delivering a dish without nuts declared, where another […]

Barmbrack is a traditional fruit bread associated with Halloween for centuries. I recall with delight as a child getting a coin in my slice of brack or even a ring. Each item had a special meaning,- a stick meant you would not marry, a piece of cloth meant poverty, a coin would mean riches and […]