Members Present
- Emma Crosbie, Avoca
- Elizabeth Young, Retail Ireland, IBEC
- Elaine Clohosey, BWG
- Katie Creamer, Aldi
- Joanne Barry, Barrys
- Pauline Ryall, Tesco
- Lucy O’Connor, Musgrave
- Ciara Kane, Lidl
- Jen Miller, Ashbury
- Helen Norfolk, Ashbury
- Gareth Coburn, Sysco
- Patrick Battersby, Sysco
- Clare Walsh, RGDATA
FSAI Staff Present
- Rob Phillips
- Alison Connor
- Jill Murphy
- Sinéad O’Mahony
- Cristina Arroyo-Casabona
- Shaun Smith
- Linda Daniels
- Clodagh Crehan
- Ophelie Davies
1. Welcome and Apologies
Rob welcomed Elizabeth Young, Retail Ireland and Emma Crosbie, Avoca to their first meeting and opened the meeting. Apologies were noted from M&S, Dunnes Stores and Circle K.
2. Draft Minutes and Matters Arising
The draft minutes 11th July 2024 were approved and will be uploaded to the FSAI website.
Training
There are new modules on the FSAI Learning Portal, and the Training Department is developing a new video for food handlers.
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.
3. Food Incidents
Shaun Smith provided an update on the ongoing peanut contamination of mustard powder incident. The UK and Ireland is impacted by this incident and numerous withdrawals have been issued. FSAI reported there were challenges verifying the supply chain and reminded Members to ask suppliers about products and carry out their own checks. Any queries can be sent to the FSAI.
4. Reformulation
Sinéad O’Mahony provided an update on reformulation including 20 years of salt monitoring and the progress in salt reduction in Ireland since 2003. Sinéad spoke about the Reformulations Task Force: Targets for Commercially Available Complementary Foods Report 2024. FSAI is asking Retailers for the help in making shelf space limited for these types of products. Sinéad thanked Retailers for access to their premises and their ongoing support.
Actions:
- FSAI to share slides after the meeting.
5. eCommerce and Online Food Business Forum
All Members have received an invitation to the new FSAI eCommerce Forum. The Forum will comprise of representatives from the FSAI, industry stakeholders, including trade associations and technology experts, to facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of effective regulatory strategies. The objective of the Forum is to provide a platform for open dialogue and interaction among relevant stakeholders to address regulatory opportunities and developments and promote responsible practices in the online food business sector. The first meeting will be held on the 25th October 2024.
6. AOB
Retail Forum Meetings 2025
Actions:
- FSAI will circulate meeting dates for 2025.
DRS Machines
There was no update on DRS machines from the Forum.