Members Present
- Rachael Elliott, Sodexho
- Mary Flynn, Irish Healthcare Catering Professionals Association
- Donna Curry, Irish Hotels Federation
- Sylwia Adamczyk, SSP
FSAI Staff Present
- Rob Phillips
- Alison Connor
- Sinead Murphy
- Sinead O’Mahony
- Jill Murphy
- Cristina Arroyo Casabona
- Claire Erraught
Apologies
- Lana McGinn, Gather and Gather
- Louise Collins, Rocket Restaurants
1. Introduction
RP welcomed Donna Curry, IHF to her first meeting of the Forum and expressed thanks to Ronan Walsh for his valuable input into the Forum over the years. All present introduced themselves and RP opened the meeting.
2. Draft Minutes and Matters Arising
The Draft Minutes of the meeting 19th April 2024 were approved.
3. Reformulation
Sinéad O’Mahony provided an update from the FSAI Taskforce on Reformulation Team. The 2nd project is focused on nutrition in the food service sector and FSAI undertook samples of children’s meals in the service sector in the Sept/Oct 2024. FSAI will have the nutritional results and findings and recommendations in Qtr 2 2025. Sinéad thanked the Forum for their support.
Actions:
- Request for Forum members to develop and publish their reformulation commitments and policies on websites and share with Food Reformulation Task Force
- Sign up to our Food Reformulation Network by sending a request to foodreformulation@fsai.ie
- Forum members can contact Sinéad at foodreformulation@fsai.ie
- FSAI to circulate the presentation after the meeting.
4. FSAI Scientific Committee
Food Hygiene Rating Systems (FHRS)
The FSAI Scientific Committee is carrying out a review of FHRS at the request of the Food Safety Consultative Council. This sub-Committee will focus on the efficacy of FHRS globally, not whether it should be used. There are challenges with FHRS to ensure all FBOs are treated in an equitable manner. The Food Safety Consultative Council will review the outcome of the FHRS review.
Actions:
- Forum members to contact the FSAI if they have any questions.
5. eCommerce and Online Food Business Forum
RP gave a presentation on the new FSAI eCommerce and Online Food Business Forum. The inaugural meeting took place on the 28th October 2024 and was a great success. There are a wide range of businesses involved in the Forum, and it has an inclusive approach. The development of this new Forum shows FSAI is committed to being proactive in this area.
Actions:
- Forum Members please contact FSAI if they have any further suggestions for membership.
6. Food Supplements
FSAI reminded all those present that the responsibility of the safety of the products rests with the FBO and notification is not a pre-market authorisation.
7. AOB
Xanthan Gum
Claire Erraught provided some information on Xanthan Gum and reported it is an approved additive. There was some discussion on the side effects, allergies and query in relation to swallowing.
Actions:
- FSAI welcomed any further queries and can send further information on this topic if required.