MKRMS Food Safety Now EHOA Licensed Trainers

MKRMS Food Safety, Wexford has added the popular Environmental Health Officers' Association's Primary Food Safety Training Course to its portfolio of courses. We now offer Ireland's most popular food safety training course with the most widely recognised Food Safety Certificate in Ireland.
The course was designed by Environmental Health Officers in connection with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. It meets the requirements for Level 2 food handler training and is certified by the Environmental Health Officers' Association.
To celebrate this new addition, we have reduced our prices for Food Safety Training.

Our first EHOA-certified training course will be held in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross on the 28th October 2010 from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. This course is open to the general public and the special offer price of € 140.00 per participant includes lunch, course materials and certification by the EHOA.

To book contact Matthias on 086 - 835 55 46 or email training@mkrms.com

Food Safety Authority Publishes Food Safety Alerts - Possible Glass in Nescafe

The Food safety Authority has published the following food safety alert on the 21st May 2010:

Due to possible contamination with small pieces of glass, Nestlé UK and Ireland Ltd is recalling all batches and best before dates of coffees in the 100g Nescafé Collections Range:

* Nescafé Alta Rica
* Nescafé Alta Rica Decaff
* Nescafé Cap Colombie
* Nescafé Suraya
* Nescafé Espresso

Only 100g jars of the above products are potentially affected. Nestlé has placed product recall notices in the Irish Press requesting customers with the implicated coffees telephone them on 00800 6378 5385.

Product information:
Product: 100g jars of Nescafé Alta Rica, Alta Rica Decaff, Cap Colombie, Suraya, Espresso

Batch Code: All codes and all best before dates

Country Of Origin: France

Food Safety Authority Publishes Food Safety Alerts - Salmonella in Seeds (2)

Food safety alerts that require action from retailers, caterers and wholesalers, have been published on the 21st May 2010.

A second recall affects Forest Feast Nuts and Seeds Sesame Seeds that were packed by Kestrel Foods Ltd., Craigavon, Co. Armagh, distributed to Superquinn. The batches have been recalled from sale by Superquinn but consumers who may have already purchased the implicated seeds should not consume them.

The seeds, if eaten raw, could cause Salmonellosis. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. There are no reports of illness from eating these seeds.

Superquinn has already removed the implicated batches from sale.

Consumers:
Consumers are advised not to eat the affected seeds. Consumers who may have already consumed this product and are feeling unwell should seek medical advice.


Details of the recall:

Product: Forest Feast Nuts and Seeds - Sesame Seeds

Batch Code: 008814965A, Best Before Date: 31/12/2010;
Batch Code: 013116184A, Best Before Date: 28/02/11

Country Of Origin: China

Food Safety Authority Publishes Food Safety Alerts - Salmonella in Seeds (1)

Food safety alerts that require action from retailers, caterers and wholesalers, have been published on the 21st May 2010.

The first recall affects Organic Sesame Seeds and Organic Four Seeds Mix that were packed by Irish Health Foods, Ltd.


These seeds are contaminated with Salmonella Anatum.

The seeds have been distributed widely within the Republic of Ireland, whilst some clearly show the name Independent Irish Health Foods Ltd on the packs, others have been packed for independent retailers (eg. health stores) but these state "packed by Independent Irish Health Foods" on the front of the pack. Packs of 250g and 500g are implicated. The implicated packs state the origin as "India", despite the fact that they are from Bolivia.

These seeds, if eaten raw, can cause Salmonellosis, which is characterised by symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. There have been no reports of illness from eating these seeds to date.

Food businesses who have received the implicated batches of sesame seeds are requested to remove the affected seeds from sale and clearly display a Point of Sale notice informing customers not to eat these seeds.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the affected seeds but to dispose of them or return them to the premises where they were purchased. Consumers who may have already consumed the seeds and are feeling unwell should seek medical advice.

Details of the recall:

Product: Organic Sesame Seeds and Organic Four Seed Mix
Batch Code: batches from 100329 to 100507, best before 11/03/2011 to 07/05/2011 inclusive
Country Of Origin: Bolivia (Packs are marked "India" as Country of Origin!)

Three Enforcement Orders and Several Prosecutions in February: Food Safety Authority of Ireland Announcements

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that two Closure Orders and one Improvement Order were served on food businesses during the month of February for breaches in food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998. The Closure Orders were issued by environmental health officers (EHOs) in the HSE Dublin North East Region on The Loughbawn Hotel (the partially covered-in alleyway leading from the kitchen to the street), Main Street, Killeshandra, Cavan and by EHOs in the HSE South Region on Golden Beijing Restaurant, Ballincurra, Cork. An Improvement Order was also issued by EHOs in the HSE Dublin North East Region on Cavan Wholesale, Dublin Road, Cavan.

Also, during the month of February, the following successful prosecution was carried out by the HSE South Region on Mr Dees Chinese Restaurant C/o Raymond and Eliza Chow, Manor Court, Riverstown, Glanmire, Cork. A successful prosecution was also carried out by the HSE Dublin North East Region on Militti Take Away, 22 Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7.

Commenting on the latest figures, Prof Alan Reilly, Chief Executive, FSAI noted food businesses should be continuously reviewing their food safety policy and practices to ensure they protect consumer health in relation to food and that they abide by the law.

“The FSAI provides an advice line where our team of experts can help a food business with any queries they may have regarding food safety practices. It is of the utmost importance that food businesses are educated on the fundamentals of food safety skills in preventing bacterial food contamination, and we would urge operators to contact the FSAI advice line where our trained advisors and food scientists will happily provide up-to-date details of the latest food legislation, food safety training requirements, the recommended codes of practice and standards, and any other advice needed to ensure that all food prepared and served is safe to eat.”

“In addition, the advice line should be viewed by consumers as a regulatory source of action, where they can report unsatisfactory standards in a food premises which they have witnessed. All complaints received by the FSAI are referred to environmental health officers who investigate each complaint thoroughly. Consumers and food businesses can contact the FSAI advice line from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday on lo-call 1890 33 66 77 or info@fsai.ie,” he concluded.

Details of the food businesses served with these Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

MKRMS Food Safety Training Update

A MKRMS Food Safety Basic Food Hygiene Course is going to be held in Wexford Town on the 18th March 2010.

This course meets the requirements for food safety training in retail and catering as recommended by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Participation is certified with a MKRMS Certificate of Attendance. A MKRMS Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to participants who successfully pass the course exam.

Email for information or bookings: training@mkrms.com

This training course that can make your business legally compliant with food safety training requirements and will help to protect you from customer claims and complaints by educating your employees in best hygiene practice.

Date: 18 March 2010
Venue: Stanville Lodge Hotel, Barntown
Time: 9.00 to 5.30
Cost: € 180.00 per person, including lunch and course materials.
MKRMS will donate €20.10 of each participant's fee to the Wexford Women's Refuge for all Basic Food Hygiene courses booked in 2010.

Alarming: FSAI received nearly 2,000 Complaints on Food Standards in 2009

The Food Safety Authority today reported it received 1,981 complaints on food standards from consumers last year through its advice line (Tel.: 1890 33 66 77). This represents almost one-third of all complaints received and amounts to more than five complaints daily!
The highest number of complaints was received on unfit (contaminated, incorrectly labelled or out-of-date) foods (858), followed by complaints on hygiene standards (408). 363 customers notified the FSAI about suspected food poisoning.
Ms Edel Conway, Information Manager FSAI, commented that these statistics reflect the power of consumer behaviour and action towards food products and food premises that do (not) meet adequate standards.
Avoid your business making the headlines this year by training all staff in good hygiene practices and in the basics of the HACCP system.
MKRMS has courses on offer to suit all your company needs. Courses can also be tailored to specific needs of individual companies. Contact us for information: training@mkrms.com or have a look at our website here to see how we can help your business keep or improve its standards.

Text of the FSAI press release here.

FSAI Fod Alert: Loyd Grossman Pasta Sauce Recall Due to Possible Glass Contamination

The FSAI today announced a food alert concerning Loyd Grossmann Tomato and Chili Pasta Sauces. Due to possible glass contamination, two batches of this product are currently being recalled. The affected batches are No.9316 and 9317 (B/B End of May 2011). Customers are advised not to eat the product but to contact Premier Foods, Tel 0044 1406 367968. Retailers should remove all affected stock from their shelves.

The full text of the alert can be found here: http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/food_alerts/loydgrossmansauce.html

FSAI Food Alert: Withdrawal of smoked mackerel using fraudulent health mark

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued a withdrawal alert yesterday for smoked Mackerel, produced in an unregulated premises in the North, using a fraudulently applied health mark. Apparently, the product has potentially been been shipped to a variety of Eastern European shops in the Republic of Ireland. The vacuum-packed units are branded "The Smoke House".

The text and further details of the alert can be found here: http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/food_alerts/fraudulentsmokedmackerel.html

An update on yesterday's alert can be found here: http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/food_alerts/unapprovedsmokedfish.html

Food Businesses are asked to check their stocks and remove affected stock from sale immediately.

FSAI Recalls Oysters from Carlingford Lough (Co. Louth)

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has been informed by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority of the withdrawal from the market of raw oysters supplied for direct consumption harvested from Carlingford Lough, Co. Louth. The oysters, from Carlingford Oyster Company, supplied up to and including the 10th February, bearing the approval number 2 LO 0003 are being withdrawn as a precaution due to the possible presence of Norovirus. The FSAI is advising caterers not to serve and consumers not to consume these raw oysters.

Full recall here!

FSAI Reports one Food Business Closure and Several Successful Prosecutions in January 2010

Ensure your business doesn't get caught and keep all your affairs in order. Advice on training, HACCP and any food safety related matter is available from MKRMS Food Safety, Wexford. Be on the FOOD SAFE side!

FSAI Press Release, 8th February 2010:

"The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that one Enforcement Order was served on a food business during the month of January for breaches in food safety legislation pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998. A Closure Order was served by environmental health officers (EHOs) in the HSE Dublin North East Region on Frier Tuck take-away, 45 Ballybough Road, Dublin 3.

Also, during the month of January, the following successful prosecutions were carried out by the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region on The Orchid Szechuan restaurant, 120 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; and on Mr Lam Chinese Restaurant, 4 Village Centre, Main Street, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. A successful prosecution was also carried out by the HSE West Region on Global Foods supermarket, 17 Davis Street, Limerick.

Commenting on the latest figures, Prof Alan Reilly, Chief Executive, FSAI stated that it is encouraging to see that the number of Enforcement Orders is significantly lower than in previous months; however, it is not a time to get complacent. Food safety and hygiene should be the priority on the list of resolutions for food businesses in 2010.

“Most Enforcement Orders served are due to easily preventable faults. In the main, a number of critical areas of non-compliance with legislation continue to arise. These include dirty premises and unhygienic practices, which could lead to contamination of food; contaminated products; cross-contamination from raw to cooked foods; improper storage of food; and untrained staff. Consumers have a right to feel confident that the food they are purchasing is safe to eat and every Closure Order undermines that confidence, which affects not only the premises involved, but the industry as a whole”, said Prof Reilly.

Details of the food businesses served with these Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month."



See the enforcement orders database here!

Matthias Kausch: Managing Food Safety. Volume 1: Food Hygiene Now Available!

The first volume of Matthias Kausch's manual: Managing Food Safety: Food Hygiene has arrived. The ideal companion for food safety managers and everybody interested in food hygiene. Check it out (and order it) here:
Order Book!

2010 Training Dates Available

MKRMS Food Safety have published their training schedule for 2010. Training courses in Basic Food Hygiene, Food Safety Essentials, HACCP for employees as well as Managing Hygiene and Managing HACCP are available in seven locations.
In 2010, training will be held in Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan, Arklow, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Carlow.
Find out about training courses in your area here: http://www.mkrms.com/pub/MKRMS-Food%20Safety%20Training,%20HACCP%20Training%20Wexford,%20Waterford,%20Kilkenny,%20Carlow,%20Tipperary.html