Ireland’s leading authority on food safety, the Food Safety Company, has been established today. This was announced at the Hospitality Expo in the RDS attended by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr Simon Coveney.

The Food Safety Company offers a cost effective nutritional-label review service for food producers and assists restaurants with calorie posting. This comes after recent research showed that nearly two thirds of Irish people are either obese or overweight and the World Health Organisation estimates Ireland will be the most obese country in the world by 2030 if we don’t change our eating habits. 
 
Furthermore, the number of people with allergies has increased by 30% over the past 20 years. There is now a yearly increase of 5%. There are 10 deaths per year in the UK from allergic reactions. Likewise, 70% of the world’s population and 16% in the UK have a reduced tolerance to lactose.
 
The founder of the Food Safety Company, Mary Daly, says placing calorie counts on menus is achievable with good planning.

Daly says, "Thankfully customers are becoming aware and requesting healthier foods, so restaurants and food manufacturers may have to innovate their menu offerings.

"Food producers also have a responsibility to educate their customers, and although it may be time consuming for some restaurants it is vital to the health of the Irish people."

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr Simon Coveney TD added, "The rich produce of Ireland is something we can all enjoy, but it’s vital that this quality is not compromised when moving from the farm to the table.

"Restaurants and kitchens around the country have a duty to prepare food safely, and I welcome the good work of The Food Safety Company in promoting these practices."

Source: www.businessworld.ie