What are food imports?

Food imports refer to the movement of food products into the EU from countries outside the EU (often referred to as Third Countries). Checks (controls) are carried out on food entering the EU market to ensure they meet equivalent requirements as foods from EU Member States.

Some foods are considered to pose a higher risk to public health, animal health, or the environment in terms of diseases, pests, or contaminants. Additional requirements are in place for these high-risk foods to control such risks, and these foods must enter the EU (e.g., into Ireland) through a specific entry point called a Border Control Post (BCP’s). These additional requirements include documentary checks, identity checks and physical checks. An explanation of these checks can be found here on the FSAI website.

Both importing and selling imported food are normal parts of running a food business in Ireland.  Food Business Operators (FBO’s) should identify and incorporate any potential risks in their food safety management system (HACCP), including potential risks related to importing.

As many businesses are reliant on a lengthy supply chain, it is important that you are aware and implement practices in your food business that ensure that any imported food that you source, which is then sold or supplied in Ireland, is safe and complies with all Irish and EU legislation. This includes any import requirements. It is also necessary to be aware that established trading patterns may be affected where there is non-compliance with EU legislation.

Why is it important for food businesses to be aware of this?

While most import requirements rest with the importer, there are considerations for FBO’s subsequently being supplied with imported food. As a food business operator, it is your responsibility to ensure that any food you sell or supply is safe and compliant with all EU requirements. To meet this responsibility, you should examine your supply chains to be aware of any reliance on importation, including importation by your Irish suppliers.

What can go wrong?

There have been several examples in recent months of businesses who have been negatively impacted by practices of other businesses in their supply chain. For example, if a consignment of food products is detained and/or rejected at the BCP due to unsatisfactory import checks performed on the goods, this means that this food could be refused entry and so will not be permitted to be placed on the market here in Ireland. This would have a knock-on effect on every food business in the supply chain e.g., a retail outlet will not receive their food products.

Additionally, if food products on the market are found to have been imported in a non-compliant manner (for example, the products were not presented for checks at the BCP), these products may be withdrawn or recalled to ensure consumer safety. . To avoid disruption to your supply chains and to your business operations, you must ensure that you are not stocking or selling food products that have been imported in a non-compliant manner.

This advice is especially critical to food businesses that do not directly import foods from outside the EU, it is important to recognise the vulnerabilities in your operations. If food products are imported by another entity on your behalf, or if you purchase from an importer, your business may be impacted if those consignments are detained or rejected at the BCP.  The interconnected nature of modern supply chains means that your business may be impacted by the practices and compliance of other entities in your supply chain.

For more information on importing foods, see the FSAI website.

For more information on the import of fish or fishery products subject to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing regulation, see the SFPA website.