Food Safety Assurance Award Scheme
The Food Safety Professionals Association have launched their Food Safety Assurance Award scheme. The scheme is aimed at food businesses in all areas of the food sector in Ireland, namely Retail & Wholesale, Hospitality and Catering, Industrial Catering, Licensed trade, Health Care Facilities, Educational establishments and Manufacturing.
Criteria for Premises:
Registered or notified to the relevant Regulatory Authorities,
In compliance with legislative requirements,
Following guidelines in Irish Standards or applicable standard,
Operating a documented HACCP / Food Safety Management System
Structure of Audit:
The audit is a systematic review of the following areas:
- Food Safety Management Systems Documentation
- Structural Hygiene
- Operational Hygiene
- Food Safety & Protection
- Personal Hygiene & Staff Facilities
Grading & Certification:
80% Grade
Merit
90% Grade
Distinction
Certification
Certification is based on a three year cycle
Year 1 – Full audit to assess for compliance with FSPA standard.
Year 2 & 3 – Surveillance audits to ensure systems are operational and valid.
Further details are available from Grace O’Brien the Food Safety Assurance Standards Administrator on 087 9424096 or e-mail standards@fspa.ie
The first FSPA Food Safety Assurance Award ceremony
For four very committed food businesses September 23rd was a memorable day. On that day in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham they received their Food Safety Assurance awards from the Food Safety Professionals Association. The winners of the Food Safety Awards were-
- The Farmgate Restaurant,Midleton,Co.Cork
- Waterford Institute of Technology
- St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin
- Sodexo at Novartis, Cork
Minister McEntee pointed out that the continued success of the industry depends ultimately on meeting consumer demands "an absolute prerequisite in this respect is food safety. Food safety is the foundation on which the industry can build other positive attributes such as the environmental sustainability and animal welfare friendly production. Irish food products already have an excellent reputation
which we can continue to develop to maximise returns from a competitive market place”.
The Minister pointed out that responsibility for food safety rests primarily with food business operators and commended the Food Safety Professional Association in introducing these new awards designed as they are to encourage food businesses to reach for and maintain high standards of food safety.
Food Safety is a legal and a moral requirement however it now underpins our growth & development. Many argued in the past that HACCP was a hindrance to the development of a small business but we know better now post the dioxin scare or for that matter the e coli outbreak earlier this year. As a nation of producers of fine food we must be quality assured and have full confidence in the food we produce and sell.
The large retailing chains actively encourage local producers to sell to them provided that they can assure the safety of their food product; hence it is vitally important that food producers are aware of the principles of food safety management.
Many government bodies, in particular, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland offer support to Food Producers. Professional support is available through the Food Safety Professionals Association, a nationwide support network, which offers certified hygiene training & HACCP advice.
