Tuesday, 07 June 2022
- Research shows ‘Baby Boomers’ least likely to complain
- Food Safety Authority of Ireland launches new awareness campaign, See Something, Say Something, to mark World Food Safety Day
Almost two-thirds (61%) of adults in Ireland do not know how to make a complaint to authorities regarding unfit food or poor hygiene practices. The news comes as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) launches a new awareness campaign, See Something, Say Something, which stresses to consumers their right to safe food.
Launching today to mark World Food Safety Day, the campaign is supported by a robust online presence and includes several videos, each encouraging consumers to make a complaint if they experience unfit food or poor hygiene practices when buying food or eating out. Reporting a concern is easy and can be done via the FSAI website by completing a simple online complaint form to report a food business or food product.
New research*, commissioned by the FSAI, also shows disparities across generations when it comes to lodging complaints regarding unfit food or poor hygiene practices, with those aged 54 and over the group least likely to have ever done so. Meanwhile, when faced with a concern, Millennials (those aged 23-37) are least likely to know how to submit a complaint. “Safer food, better health” is the theme of this year’s World Food Safety Day highlights the role that safe, nutritional food plays in ensuring good human health and well-being. Jointly facilitated by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the day focuses on collaboration with UN Member States and other stakeholders to bring the message of food safety to communities worldwide.
Commenting today, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, emphasised the part we can all play to help achieve safer food for better health.
“Whether we grow, process, transport, sell, prepare or serve food, food safety is in all our hands. Consumers have a right to safe food, and to get all the health benefits from safe food. It is great to see from our research that three quarters of adults are confident with the standard of food safety in Ireland, and almost 2 in 5 (39%) are already aware how to make a complaint if they experience unfit food or poor hygiene practices. Our new campaign, See Something, Say Something, empowers the public with the knowledge they need to file a complaint. Whether you’re buying food or eating out, you have a right to safe food, and you also have a right to exercise that right.”
Dr Byrne also reminded food businesses seeking to make changes to their processes to increase sustainability, to ensure food safety remains at the heart of everything they do.
“It’s great to see so many producers and suppliers take steps to become more sustainable, however, this can never be done at the expense of food safety. We urge food businesses to ensure they are meeting their food safety legal requirements and they should also take full advantage of the information and support provided by the FSAI and other authorities” added Dr Byrne.
-ENDS-
Note to Editors:
* Research was carried out by Coyne Research between 17- 24 May 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults in Ireland.
