Jon Coker

What Irish business can absorb a €500m sales deficit? At the midway point of 2024 this was the prospect facing the Irish dairy industry in terms of full year export performance. Irish milk collections YTD to end June were 5% back on 2023. The markets weren't delivering what was needed in terms of price for our key commodities and our dairy exports looked to be tracking around 7% back on 2023 levels for the full year. To say the sentiment in the sector was 'challenged,' would be an understatement. Fast forward to December 2024 and farmers making the most of better grass growth through the Autumn, coupled with improved market conditions, meant that 2024 ultimately finished in line with 2023 in terms of export growth at €6.3bn. Huge credit to our dairy farmers and the co-ops and manufacturers they supply for this turnaround. Inportantly this export performance was reflected in milk price meaning that we're entering 2025 in what looks like a better position than what was experienced in January of last year for our dairy farmers. Here's hoping 2025 is a prosperous one for all dairy farmers, processors and wider industry stakeholders. Bord Bia is here to support you all the way. Further detail on dairy performance and prospects, and that of the other food sectors available through the link in comments.

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Happy Monday all, it's been a few months now since I have dabbled in the world of food supplements, but just noticed that Food Safety Authority Ireland have published a rather handy food supplement legislative guidance document, that is freely available. Happy reading 📚 #foodlaw #foodregulatory #foodsupplements #foodsafety #regulatoryaffairs #foodscience #nutrition https://lnkd.in/etK2tngH

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https://lnkd.in/emQKJmxu - I really appreciate the coverage my Market Intelligence Report got on Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery . Key takeaways are: monk fruit pricing and how the Ireland Department of Health taking it off of the novel ingredients list will effect pricing. Erythritol and the anti-dumping suit Jungbunzlauer just won and how that might effect the supply chain in the US and of course the "T" word. How will potential #tariffs will effect the cost of raw materials and the supply chain for ingredients coming out of #china . Buckle up!

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Ireland - Food Reformulation Task Force: The Accuracy of Nutrition Declaration Labels of Prepacked Sugar-Sweetened Carbonated Beverages and Processed Cheeses

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Highlights According to the revised regulation, the responsibility for ensuring that L. monocytogenes is not present in covered RTE foods now applies to all situations where those foods are placed on the market throughout their shelf life, and for which the producing food business operator has not been able to demonstrate that the level of L. monocytogenes will not exceed the limit of 100 cfu/g throughout its shelf life. The new requirement will take effect on July 1, 2026.

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EU proposes change to Listeria in RTE food rules The European Commission has published long-awaited plans to update the rules around Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The draft regulation removes a section about the absence of Listeria in 25-grams before food has left the immediate control of the food business operator who has produced it. It now states that Listeria monocytogenes not detected in 25-grams should apply to all situations where foods are placed on the market during their shelf-life and for which the producing food business has not been able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the relevant authority, that the level of Listeria will not exceed the limit of 100 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) throughout their shelf-life. The new rules would apply to RTE foods, other than those intended for infants and special medical purposes, that are able to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Infants and consumers with weakened immune systems are highly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes and should not be exposed to food containing the pathogen at any concentration. Comment period To allow food businesses time to adapt their practices and procedures to the new requirement, the earliest the regulation will become applicable is January 2026. Comments on the proposals are open until May 8, 2024. In a February meeting of the Biological Safety of the Food Chain section of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, the EU Commission presented the plan to amend Annex I to Regulation 2073/2005, regarding the stage of the food chain where the entry 1.2 applies. Despite some requests for clarification, all member states that took the floor, expressed their support to the initiative, except one. The Chilled Food Association has been preparing for the revision of the legislation for some time and had been concerned that the 100 cfu/g upper limit might be replaced by a zero tolerance or not detected in 25-gram or there would be requirements to set shelf life by challenge testing. The Chilled Food Association established the Industry Listeria Group in 2021. Members include the British Retail Consortium, British Meat Processors Association, Provision Trade Federation, Fresh Produce Consortium, and European Smoked Salmon Association.  In Europe, the notification rate for listeriosis went up in 2022. One explanation for the rising trend is the increase in the elderly population, who are at higher risk of severe disease.  Thirty countries reported 2,770 confirmed listeriosis cases, which was the highest annual total since the start of EU-level surveillance. Germany, France, and Spain had the most cases with 548, 451, and 437, respectively. Listeria monocytogenes was identified as the causative agent in 35 foodborne outbreaks that affected 296 people, with 242 hospitalized cases and 28 deaths. This was the highest since the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) started collecting data.

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This is great news, it shows how even in challenging times the Irish meat industry continues to grow its share due to its reputation for quality and sustainability #grassfed #irishbeef

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The European Commission has published long-awaited plans to update the rules around Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. #listeriamonocytogenes #readytoeat #RTE #europeancommission

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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is considering the introduction of a food hygiene rating system for businesses as part of its strategy for 2025-2029. Over the next two years, the FSAI will evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of such schemes and assess their potential impact on public health and food safety. Stakeholder input will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the scheme, with the possibility of launching a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in Ireland. Dr. Pamela Byrne, CEO of FSAI, emphasized the agency’s commitment to public health and the importance of a food safety culture within businesses. The first meeting of the Food Hygiene Rating Systems Subcommittee took place in September 2024, presenting a literature review on methods used globally and discussing the challenges of implementing such systems. The Food Safety Consultative Council also explored industry perspectives, with guest speakers from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland sharing insights on the FHRS. In Northern Ireland, businesses are legally required to display hygiene ratings, while in England, it remains optional. A study published in the British Food Journal revealed that consumers who checked hygiene ratings had more confidence in food hygiene inspections, particularly those from vulnerable groups. The study advocates for greater visibility of hygiene ratings to boost consumer trust and compliance, with a focus on improving public awareness and engagement in food safety.

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The changing climate poses significant challenges to our food systems and food safety. Food journalist David Burrows delves into this in our latest Future of food article. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eTgy7kpR Food Safety Authority of Ireland Food Safety Professionals Association of Ireland (FSPA) #foodsafety #foodsecurity #climatechange #futureoffood #article #read

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Join us tomorrow at 10am for a FREE webinar! Who should attend? Business owners, managers, chefs, caterers, and all staff involved in food handling processes. Ensuring the proficiency of food handlers is crucial for maintaining a robust food safety culture. #FoodSafety #Webinar

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Open for comment for another month, this rule looks like it may be set to be implemented by 2026. Should you require any support with how this might affect you and your products we are here to help. 2 years may seem a long time for something that’s not yet set in stone but can you believe the pandemic was 5 years ago already! At RQA Group we can help you look into formulation and HACCP to ascertain feasibility for products in range or in your NPD pipeline, audit your site(s) & processes to look for potential improvement opportunities, micro-model your data and assist with reviewing any of your microbiological results or shelf-life validations to see where you may have gaps and recommend any improvements in readiness. #foodsafety #microbiology #eufood #Listeria https://lnkd.in/eDza9BJA

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71% of Irish consumers trust Irish dairy farmers to take care of the environment - up 6% on May 2023 according to data from our latest research carried out on our behalf by Opinions Market Research. This implies a greater public recognition of farmer’s actions to achieve environmental targets! Ireland is an agricultural nation and dairy farming is part of our heritage - it is facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to its impact on the environment and it has clear stretch targets to meet!! Attention however, is often given to how we describe our efforts rather than to what dairy farmers are actually doing! Technically, the Irish dairy system is not wholly sustainable - alongside most other industrial sectors - so, our farmers efforts to improve environmental performance should be applauded and not glibly dismissed as “greenwashing”. We are on a journey towards a sustainable food production system and we are making progress! Our Consumer opinion research shows that the Irish public across all age groups support dairy farmers and 83% of them see dairy produce as an important part of their diet! Fact! #irishdairy #irishmilk #supportourfarmers #itsgoodforyou #irishdairyfarmers #irishdairyproduction #grassrootsmovement #fromthegroundup #sustainabledairy #climateaction #media Irish Farmers Association Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association - ICMSA Agri Aware Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board National Dairy Council Dairy Industry Ireland National Milk Agency Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Ornua Macra na Feirme Agricultural Science Association Irish Farmers Journal Agriland Media

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With increasing regulatory complexity in the Irish dairy industry - the challenge isn't just compliance. It's about how to leverage evolving regulations to drive a resilient, competitive and sustainable supply chain. Seize the opportunities with auto-sensing technology, like Levno. Learn more, https://hubs.li/Q02Y0tXr0 , about what Levno can do to support innovation within your business amidst the challenges of regulatory complexity and change.

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In the third edition of my book, 'Money for Jam - The Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Small Food Business in Ireland, Northern Ireland, or Great Britain,' I explain about which foods require a “Use By” date, their importance and how they impact food safety. Watch the video to learn more about 'use-by' dates and how to implement them effectively in your food business. 📝🔍 Purchase it now at: AMAZON UK: http://bit.ly/45Inz74 SUCCESS STORE: https://bit.ly/4eGsWHW Oak Tree Press Brian O'Kane #FoodBusiness #Entrepreneurship #MoneyForJam #SmallFoodBusiness #FoodIndustry #Startup #BusinessGuide #ShelfLife #UseBy #BestBefore #FoodSafety #HighRiskFood

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🚨 **Important Update on Listeria Regulations** 🚨 The European Commission has rolled out new plans to update rules regarding **Listeria monocytogenes** in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. Key changes include: 🌎 The draft regulation removes the requirement for Listeria to be absent in 25 grams before products leave the control of the food producer. 🌎 It now mandates that Listeria must not be detected in 25 grams for foods available in the market during their shelf-life, unless the producer can prove, to the relevant authority, that levels will remain below 100 CFU/g. These new rules will apply to most RTE foods that can foster Listeria growth, excluding those intended for infants or special medical purposes due to heightened vulnerability. These updates will impact most RTE foods (excluding those for infants) and will take effect no earlier than **January 2026**. Rising listeriosis cases in Europe highlight the need for these changes, with 2,770 confirmed cases reported in 2022. Let’s continue to prioritize food safety! 🥗🔍 #FoodSafety #Listeria #EURegulations #PublicHealth #foodNews #RTE #ThermalProcessing #foodisfuel #foodtechnology #foodscience

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📢 On 8th July, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) published a report on the assessment of the safety of probiotics in food supplements. 👇 What is included in the FSAI report? ❌ The report notes some risks of adverse effects from consuming probiotics; however, these tend to be few and occur in vulnerable people.   🧪 The report recommends assessing probiotics' safety in food supplements by evaluating whether the substance has no known links to human infection or environmental harms.   ⚖️ The report considers that the safety can be assessed if its use has been authorised under the novel food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.   🏆 For the sports and active nutrition industry, the report provides insights into the safe use of probiotics and calls on food supplement producers to document the food safety management system adopted to ensure consistent safe manufacture of the food supplement. 📣 To get more updates like this, get in touch with the ESSNA Secretariat ([email protected])

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𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 2024.4415 - Recall of Unsweetened Soya Drink due to a packaging issue which may lead to spoilage Notified by Ireland on 07/06/2024 https://lnkd.in/d82tYSp6 #foodalert #AlimentaciónSegura #SaludAlimentaria #SeguridadAlimentaria #ContaminaciónAlimentaria #EtiquetadoNutricional

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This article features otherwise unpublished food safety management data held by BRCGS and Safefood 360° which, combined with real-time events, provides an unparalleled view of current and emerging issues and trends in the food safety industry. A very interesting read, thank you Alec Kyriakides and BRCGS for putting this together.

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