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This programme is developed by the FSAI, the Environmental Health Service and the Food Microbiology Laboratories of the HSE. Other official agencies of the FSAI may also be involved. Programmes are finalised in the latter half of the preceding year.
The aims of the national microbiological surveillance programme are to:
- Obtain a national picture on the microbiological safety of high-risk foods
- Obtain a national picture on specific food handling/food hygiene practices
- Monitor microbiological trends by designing new surveys to build on existing data
- Determine the true microbiological quality of a foodstuff by utilising the randomness of survey sampling.
The data generated from these surveys highlight areas of public health significance. Where a foodstuff is unsafe appropriate action is taken immediately. The need to publish recommendations or guidance is also considered. Where survey results are satisfactory, resources are redirected to other high-risk foods.