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In this editorial, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) talks about supports they provide for anyone thinking of starting up a food business.  

Despite the economic downturn in 2008, there has been a 5% increase in the number of food businesses established in Ireland, with the number of food businesses currently standing at over 48,000.  Queries to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) advice line service suggest a strong level of interest among people pursuing new food business ideas, with 1,179 business start-up queries last year – the majority of these coming from people wishing to start a food business from home.

To assist those working in small food businesses or those who are thinking of setting up a food business, the FSAI’s primary focus is to assist them achieve good hygiene standards and comply with the law. 

FSAI has a number of resources available for anyone who is interested in setting up a new food business or for those who are already in business and who want to learn more.

Advice Line

FSAI's advice line service is freely available to anyone with a food safety query in relation to their food business. This service can be contacted at info@fsai.ie.  A range of information is also available to download from their website.  The information covers everything from registering a new food business; food safety training requirements for staff; setting up a food safety management system; labelling regulations; traceability; food alerts and much more.  Visit FSAI's website for more information.

Breakfast Bites

FSAI host a series of free, informal breakfast meetings for food businesses every two months, where we provide useful information on the topics food businesses what to know more about.  These meetings consist of a presentation from one of their experts on a specific topic, followed by a Q&A session.  They run from 8:20am until about 9:30am.  If you’re interested in attending, you can subscribe to these and all of our upcoming events at: www.fsai.ie/subscriptions

Stay in Contact

Follow FSAI on Facebook and Twitter for useful resources for anyone with an interest in keeping up-to-date about the latest food safety news.

FSAI is running a one-stop shop seminar in Galway Thursday May 19 for anyone who is thinking about starting a small food business and/or who has recently gone into business in the food sector.