Food Alert Notifications
Irish Food Alerts
Food alerts are notifications issued by the FSAI to official agencies and food businesses or other businesses relating to an identified hazard i.e. a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food/food contact materials with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.
Food Alerts are issued as either Category 1 For Action or Category 2 For Information.
Category 1 Food Alerts For Action
Category 1 alerts are issued where there is an identified risk to consumers and action needs to be taken by official agencies and/or food businesses or other businesses. These alerts will clearly set out what is known about the food (including product name, batch/production codes, size of containers, durability dates, etc.), the hazard, the risk and the specific action required.
Category 2 Food Alerts For Information
Category 2 alerts are issued for information relating to food safety, but not detailing or requiring any specific action to be taken. These alerts will clearly set out what is known about the food (including product name, batch/production codes, size of containers, durability dates, etc.), and the hazard.
Communication of Irish Food Alerts
Where there is a need for action to be taken, or to convey the information to a wider enforcement and food business community, the FSAI will issue a national Food Alert on the FSAI website. The alert will be notified to all enforcement agencies. In addition the alert will be notified to, public health representatives, food business representatives, other interested groups and organisations who have requested to be on the circulation list. Notifications are sent by email, with the option of SMS text.
Interested parties and consumers can subscribe to receive email alerts.
Recent food alerts are listed on the FSAI homepage. Older food alerts are archived on the website and updated as appropriate. The matters giving rise to the alerts are being or have been addressed by the food businesses or other businesses.
European Commission Food Alerts - Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is a notification system operated by the European Commission to exchange information on identified hazards between Member States and covers food, food contact materials and animal feed. This effective tool for the exchange of information helps Member States to act more rapidly and in a coordinated manner in response to a health threat.
The RASFF portal features an interactive searchable online RASFF database. It gives public access to summary information about the most recently transmitted RASFF notifications as well as a search function for information on any notification issued in the past.
Launched in June 2014, the RASFF consumers' portal is a consumer-friendly internet tool providing the latest information on food recall notices. It includes also public health warnings issued by food safety authorities and food companies. By using this free tool, EU consumers are able to identify food that has been flagged in the system allowing them to make more informed choices.
More information on RASFF can be accessed on the Commission’s website.
UK Food Alerts
The Food Standards Agency UK also issue food alerts associated with food placed on the UK market.
Last reviewed: 23/2/2015