Meeting at 10.00.
Attendees:
- Rob Phillips (Chair) [RP]
- Mary Flynn, CMA Ireland [MF]
- Louise Collins, Rocket Restaurants [LC]
- Martina Donohoe, Aramark [MD]
FSAI Staff present:
- Clodagh Crehan [CC]
- Claire Rogers [CR]
- Jane Neylan [JN]
- Sinéad Murphy [SM]
- Nuala Collins [NC]
- Mary Lenahan [ML]
Apologies:
- Lana McGinn, Gather & Gather
- Samantha Holmes, Sodexo
- Louise Hickmott, MCD Ireland
- Adam Heyes, Subway Ireland
- Eoghan McLoughlin, Irish Prison Service
- Manuela Spinelli, Euro-Toques
- Helen Statham, Yum
- Lynsey Mitchell, Yum
1. Introductions
The Chair, RP, introduced himself to the group and apologised the disruption of meeting dates due to vacancies and stressed the worthwhile use of the forum, after which all those present introduced themselves. RP informed the group that representees from DAFM were unable to attend the meeting and as a result agenda item 7 will be postponed to a later date.
2. Agree Minutes of Previous meeting (12 Oct 2021)
The minutes from the previous meeting were read through and agreed.
3. Ukraine Crisis
FIC Flexibilities
CC updated the group on the Ukraine crisis and the situation in terms of supply and ingredients which have had a knock-on effect for labelling with the substitution of certain ingredients.
Flexibility may apply on a base-by-base case at local authority level and is likely to continue. CC spoke about FSAI guidance circulated on 25th March.
FSAI launched a survey through different forums to gauge feedback and revised guidance was published on the website on 22.07.22, advising over labelling will remain in place with increased flexibility.
RP reiterated the extensiveness of the survey. The impacts experienced were noted and the difficulty to find a solution for all those affected so it was possible to accommodate industries and the consumer.
Emerging Risk Mapping
RP gave a presentation on the impact of the Ukraine and Russian conflict on the food system and an overview of the measures that has been undertaken to date on this topic.
RP asked If the group had any suggestion on the risk scanning and where they feel there could be opportunities to capture information and mitigate emerging risks.
RP asked if there was an opportunity in the retail forum or other groups, where this work could be developed further with collaboration and that the communication groups would be used to share information/emerging risks.
Actions/Agreed:
- To remain as an information agenda item going forward.
4. FIC Revision Update and DoH Industry Stakeholder Event Report
CC gave a presentation to update the group on DoH industry Stakeholder Event Report.
The Farm to Fork Strategy was published in May 2020 with several objectives and deadlines.
The timeline for labelling provision was 2021-2023 and the Commission is confident that the target will be met.
The details of public consultation were circulated on the FSAI website in early 2021, since then there was an additional publication of an impact assessment from the Commission to tackle alcohol labelling which comes out of the beating cancer policy which is running alongside.
There were 300 responses from stakeholders and the report was published by FSAI in December 2021.
The consultation phase at commission level has now finished. FSAI have been involved with government departments and DoH at a national level to prepare and develop a policy position to negotiate at EU level.
It was noted that the Doh have published the recordings and presentation on their website if any participants have not had a chance to look at this yet.
The draft proposal from the Commission is expected in Q4.
Actions/Agreed:
- CC to circulate presentation slides to the group.
5. Reformulation Task Force
NC updated the group on the Reformulation Task Force and gave a presentation on the Roadmap for Ireland that is being implemented by the Task Force. Nuala encouraged the group to support and assist on the implementation of this Roadmap.
NC stated that the Out of Home (OOH) Sector are being asked to make a commitment to meet the food reformulation targets for saturated fat, sugar and salt. Although the targets are aligned with PHE, they have been tailored to Irelands needs. The Task Force have published the 40 priority food categories that the food reformulation targets will apply to on the FSAI website: https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/reformulation.html.
It was mentioned that there has been engagement from the OOH sector and the Task Force is hoping to communicate with more stakeholders over the implementation of reformulation targets. The Task Force will be working over the coming months and years to monitor and publish progress.
A report commissioned by Safefood in 2020 on Attitudes of the public towards policies to address obesity found a high level of support for improvement of nutritional content of processed packaged foods. 89% of consumers in Ireland support the idea of government working with industry to improve the nutritional content of processed packaged foods.
NC encouraged the OOH sector to develop a food reformation policy if they have not done so already. The Task Force will work to assist them in developing a policy and have asked the OOH sector to publish their reformulation commitments and policy on their websites, and to also publish and share their progress.
NC encouraged the group to engage with the food reformulation network and to sign up for regular updates: foodreformulation@fsai.ie.
Actions/Agreed:
- NC to circulate the presentation to the group.
6. UK Divergence
CR gave a presentation on UK Divergence with a focus on titanium dioxide considering upcoming ban on 7th of August 2022.
A link to the titanium dioxide survey had been circulated within the group for completion by 28.07.2022
The 6-month transitional period to phase out titanium dioxide is coming to an end and foods containing titanium oxide before 7th of August can remining on market until sell by date.
Actions/Agreed:
- UK Divergence to be kept as an agenda point going forward.
- Results of survey from group will be circulated.
7. Import Controls Support and Training
Will be postponed until next meeting due to unavailability of DAFM representative.
8. Food Safety Culture
RP stated that Food Safety Culture in establishments was considered as part of the 2022 Audit program, but this has now been changed to the 2023 Audit program. The goal of this is to see how food safety is being implemented in different sectors and business.
The group will be informed and updated as developments come about, and a meeting date will be set prior to that so details can be discussed.
9. Meal Ordering & Delivery Service
RP gave an update on an agenda item from October meeting and how this has progressed considerably.
A questionnaire was circulated to online selling platforms (Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo ) to develop a better understanding of their business models and their interoperation of legislation with regards to the definition of a food business operator. Some divergence has been identified between the interpretation of FSAI and the understanding of platforms.
There has been an increase in growth in online delivery services in the food industries due to covid, with food businesses having to adapt to maintain their supply chain.
The goal of the questionnaire was to develop a better understanding of where the difficulties are in enforcing the current legislation which was drafted for the traditional physical food premises and regulatory models and to take on board the different types of delivery models and challenges with the current legislation
As a result, of the findings from the questionnaire, the research, and discussions with official agencies a paper will be developed for legal opinion on a variety of issues including online trading, unregistered FBO’s operating on social media and food sharing platforms/food donations. The group will be updated at the next meeting.
RP agreed that there is a legal responsibly to establish guidelines and hopes to have clarity on this soon.
10. Salmonella Brandenburg Outbreak Report Recommendations
RP reminded the group of the report in 2017 and the fatality of one of the cases of the infection. The report outlined recommendations and lessons learned in 8 key areas and is due to be addressed by the Management of Outbreaks and Foodborne Illness provision group (MOFI) representatives from FSAI and HSE are in MOFI.
The measures proposed include applications of principles and family liaison officers. RP stressed the difficulties that these investigations pose in terms of epidemiology and other factors.
AOB
Reusable packaging and online deliveries
RP mentioned that the FSAI Advice Line had received queries and concerns regarding online deliveries and concerns with cross contamination. FSAI is currently working to develop guidance on this issue.
Issues raised at the retail forum regarding the use of reusable package materials by consumers in retail settings and the legal responsibilities on food business to ensure that packaging is appropriate and hygienic was mentioned.
RP asked the group if they have had any considerations or policies on this or if any members of their business have come forward about this issue.
Actions/Agreed:
- To be included as an agenda item at a future meeting.
Microbiology survey
ML notified the group on FSAI plans to conduct a survey on chilled, frozen, and breaded chicken (all products including branded and own label, Irish product and product produced outside of Ireland will be tested).
Usually there is no notification given on these surveys, but they are expecting positives results (estimation of 10 % positivity rate), and recalls, and withdrawals are expected.
ML spoke about the 2018 outbreak that originated from Poland and the survey conducted about the UK on cooking instructions and risk of Salmonella/ illnesses.
The purpose of the survey is to raise consumer awareness among consumers, and it is to run from September-November 2022.
Date of Next Meeting
October or November were suggested, and a Doodle Poll will be circulated with potential meeting dates for availability later this year.
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