Notification and Reporting on Food Incidents: Irish Approach

1. Notification and Reporting on Food Incidents: Irish Approach • Food & Drugs Authority • Bangkok • Thailand • Dorothy Guina-Dornan

3. Guidance Note 10: Product Recall and Traceability Developed by the FSAI and industry and is a best practice document Also designed to minimise company liability in the event of food safety incidents Covers all food sectors

4. FSAI Guidance Note 10 • Classifies the level of product recall – withdrawal and recall • Withdrawal: the removal of an unsafe foodstuff from the distribution chain but does not extend to food sold to the consumer • Recall: the removal of unsafe food from the distribution chain and extends to food sold to consumers and therefore involves communication with consumers • Role of the enforcement authorities and industry defined

5. Stages of a Product Recall Procedure • Development of a product recall policy • Development of a product recall plan • Testing of a product recall plan • Notification and initiation of a product recall • Management of a product recall • Closing a product recall • Review of a product recall and amendment of the product recall plan

6. Support Material • Examples of • Role and Responsibility Chart • Contact List layout • Product Recall Decision tree • Sample Trade Notification • Sample Product Recall Notice • Sample Press Release • Bad and good Product Recall Notice • Contact Details for the FSAI and Regulatory Authorities • Details of relevant legislation

7. FSAI Code of Practice No.5 Food Incidents and Food Alerts

8. FSAI Code of Practice 5 • Aims to set out the arrangements for responsibility of managing food incidents at local and national level involving food hazards as identified by food businesses, competent authorities or other Member States and the associated communications • The objective is to have a co-ordinated approach to ensure that food products identified as being a risk to the consumers are controlled or removed from the food chain

9. FSAI Code of Practice 5 • Part 1: Incident and Alert Notification Management • Definitions • Exchange of Information • Responsibilities for Management of Incidents • Planning and Co-ordination • Risk Analysis • Food Alerts and RASFF notifications: Category I and II • Communication: email, fax, SMS messaging, website, media • Part 2: ‘Single Liaison’ Arrangements • Provisions within Official Control Regulations • Exchange of Information between Ireland and other EU countries

10. Role of enforcement officers • Identify the hazard giving rise to the incident • Assess the risk • Initiate action • Communicate as necessary to other authorities, agencies, organisations or consumers • Review activities on the basis of information available • Act as a contact point for information available

12. Role of the FDA, Thailand • Provide enforcement support • Act as a central contact point for gathering and issuing information • Issue Food Alert and RASFF notifications • Notify and update official agencies • Provide necessary briefings for other professionals, government departments, officials and the media

14. Role of Food Business Operators • Take all necessary measures to protect public health • Maintain an effective recall and traceability system • Maintain process and traceability documentation • Notify the relevant official agencies and /or the FSAI of incidents or potential incidents without delay • Initiate the withdrawal and/or recall of products as necessary

15. Role of Food Business Operators • Provide all necessary assistance and co-operation to an investigating agency • Ensure timely release of information relevant to an investigation • Review and update information as it becomes available and ensure investigating agencies are notified during incidents • Prevent the sale of food which does not comply with the provision of any regulation applicable to that particular food

17. Hazard characterisation and distribution of food determines responsibility for management

18. Distribution of food – Limited or Wide • Limited Distribution: • localised area under the responsibility of one competent authority • Confined to one sector under the responsibility of one competent authority • Wide Distribution: • More than one competent authority responsible • Food is distributed outside of Ireland

20. ANNEX 1: FSAI INCIDENT REPORT FORM NOTIFICATION OF FOOD INCIDENT REPORTED BY: Position: Organisation: Address: Direct Tel. No: Out of Hours: Fax No: e-mail: DATE /TIME OF REPORT: SECTION 1 – DETAILS OF HAZARD PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION: (Please supply as much information as is known) Food type: Brand Name: Nature of the Hazard:

21. Manufacturer: Country of Origin: Retailer/Distributor: Lot/Batch Number: Identification marks/stamps/premises approval number: Quantity of Food Involved: Details of Packaging (pack size, type etc): Date of Production: Durability details (Use By/Best Before): Known Distribution: Importer: Commercial Document Details (if imported): Wherever possible, a picture or label copy should also be provided. SECTION 2 – DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION Date of Hazard identified How Hazard was identified: Known illness related to consumption: Details of any investigation: Contact with other agencies/organisations: (details of individuals, contact numbers etc) SECTION 3 – OTHER INFORMATION Any other details known about the incident: Once completed the form should be emailed to rapidalert@fsai.ie

22. Communication • RASFF • Food Alerts • Category I – For Action • Category II – For Information • Media Management • Incidents managed by the enforcement officers • Incidents managed by the enforcement officers in collaboration with the central authority • Incidents managed by the central authority

23. Incident Closure • Complete investigation into the incident • Ensure all possible action has been carried out to ensure food products have been recalled or withdrawn • Notify all parties involved that the incident is closed whether the action was initiated by the food business operator, enforcement officers or the central authority • Make a summary record / report of the outcome including details on the quantity of product recalled / withdrawn / returned / destroyed

24. Contact Details • Rapid Alert Team: • rapidalert@fsai.ie • Emergency Phone: • (01) 817 1313