Members Present
- Dave Lang
- Blathnaid Bergin
- Kevin Brennan
- Darina Allen
- Kevin Sheridan
- John Kent
- Mimi Crawford
- Sally Barnes
Others
Carlos Alvarez, Teagasc
FSAI Staff Present
- Micheál O’Mahony (Chair)
- Hannah Wise (minute taker)
- Eileen Lippert
- Cristina Fernandez Bugallo
- Ophelie Davies
Apologies
- Donal Lehane
- Sinead Moran
- John Cunningham
- Siobhan ni Ghairbhith
1. Welcome
Micheál O’Mahony welcomed all to the meeting. Micheál also welcomed Carlos Alvarez, an external visitor from Teagasc, who would go on to elaborate on their research project on Future Foods. He also introduced Hannah Wise who will be providing administration services to the Forum from now on.
2. Agree Minutes of Previous Meeting (16.9.24)
Agreed 1: The minutes were agreed without amendment.
2a. Matters arising, other than those on the agenda
(i) Bord Bia Awards
Amongst the issues discussed for this topic were: accessibility to wild products was raised as an important issue; concerns were expressed by the members about greenwashing; MO’M had relayed the opinions raised at the last meeting to Bord Bia – they are aware of concerns over organic standards but pointed out the eligibility of wild-caught products for consideration in other Bord Bia award categories; It was noted that the EU allows foraged wild plant products to be certified as organic.
Action 1: MO’M to invite someone from DAFM’s organic section to a future meeting to further elaborate on organics.
Action 2: MO’M will circulate information received from Bord Bia to SB.
(ii) Fish Parasites
MO’M updated the meeting on his interactions with the Marine Institute (MI) on the issues raised at the last meeting. Myxozoa are not currently regulated under EU Health law and thus are not a priority for the MI at this time.
Action 3: MO’M will seek to include Myxozoa on the FSAI’s research priority list. He will also invite a representative from the Marine Institute to attend a future meeting to discuss this further.
(iii) Update on Honey Fraud
Cristina Fernandez Bugallo gave a presentation by way of providing an update on the Honey Platform. There was much discussion following the presentation and some of the issues discussed included: lack of reliable testing methods to categorically identify honey fraud; the Honey Platform is seeking to agree at an EU level validated testing methods.
DA noted that no Artisan Forum Members joined the EU Commission’s Honey Platform as discussed in previous meeting and it was confirmed that it is too late for someone to join now. KB informed the members of a standard that is being prepared that might be of relevance. There was also a short discussion on the distinction between the quality of the process and the quality of the product, The members thanked CF-B for her presentation.
Action 4: It was queried if there is a national labelling rule for honey, similar to that for beef. FSAI confirmed that EU legislation currently allows non-specific origin labelling as a compulsory obligation, but as already clarified this would change form 2026 in the meantime if honey was labelled to have a particular origin e.g. Irish then that should not mislead the consumer. Members confirmed when questioned if they were sure that they wanted such a rule, (they unanimously agreed that they did), it was suggested that the members clarify and confirm the requirements for the labelling of pure Irish honey then to bring them to Bord Bia. Forum member offered a view that there should be a national (e.g. Bord Bia) standard for Irish honey.
Action 5: HW will circulate CF-B’s presentation to the members.
Action 6: MO’M will invite the DAFM representative on the Honey Platform to attend a future meeting of the Artisan Forum.
Action 7: MO’M clarified that existing Bord Bia QA standards does not necessarily require honey or any other food product to be 100% Irish and a member disagreed. MO’M will send evidence of this to KS.
Agreed 2: “100% honey” implies no additives.
3. Forum functioning
a. Membership and attendance
Agreed 3: Blathnaid Bergin to replace Simone Kelly as member of the Artisan Forum. Simone will be Blathnaid’s alternate.
Action 8: Members were requested to advise the FSAI if they can or cannot attend a meeting of the Artisan Forum. In the event that they cannot, please either arrange for their alternate to attend, or let the FSAI know so that they can invite them to the meeting.
Action 9: DA to revert to FSAI once she finds out more information about T Peigne’s proposed replacement as an alternate. She will also discuss with E Cluskey his availability to attend meetings.
Action 10: FSAI will update the membership section of the website accordingly and update distribution lists.
4. Deferred agenda items
MO’M clarified the reason why some agenda items were deferred but assured members that they will be dealt with at future meetings.
Action 11: Members were requested to continue sending in agenda items, but to give sufficient notice so that the relevant expert is available to attend.
5. Avoiding Unhygienic Practices in a Food Business – Ophelie Davies
Ophelie Davies from the FSAI was introduced and gave a presentation on this topic to make members aware of new initiatives.
Action 12: Members were invited to disseminate this information to their peers and also to advise if it is not relevant.
Action 13: DL raised an issue relating to gas flushing recently encountered by one of his members and it was agreed that the issue needs to be clarified and the FSAI advised that his member revert to this EHO for further clarification.
There were several queries on the proposal regarding sneeze guards and members commented that this would cause more inconsistencies of inspections as there are insufficient specifics.
It was queried if they were a legal requirement or a recommendation? Do breads and pastries have to be individually wrapped? FSAI confirmed that legislation does not explicitly set out how food contamination should be prevented but it is up to an FBO to justify their approach within their food safety management.
Agreed 4: Regarding the return to work from sickness of food workers, KB raised the question of whether self-assessment or sign-off by a medical practitioner is required. M’OM confirmed that self-assessment is sufficient but emphasised that returning to work while still sick should not be regarded as acceptable, and 2 days symptom free is recommended.
6. Future Foods Project – Carlos Alvarez, Teagasc
Carlos Alvarez from Teagasc elaborated on the Future Foods project that will begin at the end of next year. One of the areas where his research will focus on will be using offal from animals to reduce waste. He is seeking the support of the Artisan Forum in this project and knowledge sharing will be the most important task for them.
The members expressed that the offal project is very important, noting the need for offal to be used more often to prevent food waste.
Agreed 5: The Artisan Forum voiced their support for the project.
7. Undergraduate Training
The Chair provided the background to this and outlined actions taken regarding this. Following much discussion about how to progress this some proposals were put forward including: Artisans holding workshops for student EHOs; can some other organisation provide training to student EHOs on traditional food methods? Student EHOs taking an elective on artisanal methods; carry out a survey of EHOs on their experiences with artisan producers to gain perspectives from both sides. FSAI emphasised that the curriculum for a third level degree in environmental health is a matter for the third level institution not FSAI.
Agreed 6: Training and harmonisation issues remain significant challenges, with unharmonised practises highlighted across the board. The members also agreed that they need to be clear on what their requirements are and to be cognisant of the logistics and practicalities for a third level institution to incorporate changes into curricula.
Action 14: FSAI will facilitate a face-to-face meeting of the Artisan Forum and TUD representatives in the FSAI offices, preferably in early 2025
8. Pesticides in Food
CFB presented on the topic of pesticides in food, discussing the relevant legislation, regulations, and issues surrounding pesticide use, particularly on vegetables. Concerns were highlighted about certain methods, such as the practice of sweating pesticides out of produce. CFB emphasised the control systems in place, which prohibit the use of certain substances, as well as the restricted use of pesticides in specific scenarios, adding that the primary aim is to minimise risk to human health and the environment while dealing with whatever was the intended ‘pest’ target. One Artisan Forum member pointed out that the pesticide directive is outdated as it was issued in 2005. CFB assured the members that the directive is under constant review.
DA raised the issue of why pesticides are not required to be labeled whereas organic products must be labelled. MO’M explained that food labelling for pesticides is not mandatory, instead the law allows pesticides to be used in certain ways with the various protections as outlined by CFB. CFB further clarified that pesticides are approved only when deemed safe through rigorous testing and official control measures such as maximum residue levels are in place to ensure their safety before human consumption.
A question was raised regarding the potential to make pesticide labeling a legal requirement. MO’M clarified that the obligations related to food labelling fall under the Department of Health (DoH). Additionally, the EU Commission has indicated that it may revisit the legislation in the future. MO’M further noted that any updates to the FIC legislation are not within FSAI’s scope and that the Department of Health would be the appropriate national body regarding the request for changes.
Action 16: DA will prepare a submission for the DoH with the assistance of SB on the need for mandatory labelling of pesticides on foods. MO’M agreed to assist in framing the submission but clearly stated that FSAI will not be endorsing the submission but merely relaying it.
SB had a query about ecocides, but she was advised that this issue is not within FSAI’s remit.
9. FSAI Legislation Update
MO’M had a query about the legislation update report he prepared for the Artisans at the last meeting in response to request form members. It tried to strike a balance between providing information and summarising that without overload. Are the members satisfied with the format? Is there enough information? No concerns were expressed.
10. AOB
There was no other business.
11. Dates for meetings in 2025
The next meeting will take place on 30 January in the FSAI offices at 11:00-15:00. There will be four meetings per year with two in-person and two virtual and these will be alternated. Dates for the three other meetings in 2025 will be advised.