The following article provides an overview of the FSAI Strategy for 2025-2029, highlighting the recent launch of a public consultation relating to Food Hygiene Rating Schemes.

In December 2024, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) released its strategy for 2025-2029. This document outlined the agency’s “vision, purpose, values, strategic goals and objectives” in relation to the enforcement of food legislation in Ireland. 

The Strategy features the FSAI’s goals and objectives for the next five years, along with a set of high-level deliverables to be achieved within the first three.  

One of the most important deliverables includes The Food Hygiene Rating Schemes Consultation launched on Monday 26th May, 2025. Click here to find out more. 

In the interest of supporting our customers in Ireland, we have created a comprehensive run down of the FSAI Strategy 2025-2029. It provides an overview of the goals, objectives, and deliverables that relate to Irish food businesses. 

At Klipspringer, we support thousands of food and beverage manufacturers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Our Irish Representative Josh McMullan is available to provide in-person support and site visits.

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Food Hygiene Rating Scheme Consultation 

As mentioned above, the FSAI Strategy 2025-2029 features a series of high-level deliverables. One of the most important examples is: “an evaluation of the evidence relating to hygiene rating schemes for food businesses and a recommendation made on their future place in Ireland’s official control system.”  

On Monday 26th May, the FSAI followed up on this pledge with the launch of a public consultation to gather views from Irish consumers and food businesses. This consultation relates to the introduction of a national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS). 

Currently in place for Northern Ireland, England, and Wales, Food Hygiene Rating Schemes inform the public of the hygiene standards of different food businesses. This information is typically presented as a number, letter, or symbol displayed in a highly visible location. Often, government agencies will introduce a FHRS in an effort to increase transparency, encouraging consumers to make informed choices and businesses to raise their standards.

The consultation will run until Monday 23rd June, so there is still time for you to share your thoughts. Click here to learn more. Your feedback will inform an Evaluation Report, expected early 2026.  

GOAL 1 – Advocate and Engage 

The FSAI’s first goal is to ‘Advocate and Engage’ – ensuring stakeholders understand the importance of food safety and authenticity when it comes to protecting consumers and increasing compliance.

Within this section of the FSAI Strategy there are four key objectives, with each objective linked to several high-level deliverables that are scheduled for the next three years. 

Objective 1

The FSAI intends to further promote the importance of food safety and authenticity.
This will be achieved through engaging with relevant stakeholders and delivering a rolling three-year work programme for the agency’s Food Safety Consultative Council.  

Objective 2

The second objective is to provide accessible and evidence-based resources. The high-level deliverables for this objective include the FHRS Consultation mentioned above, along with the improved use of technology platforms when communicating with food businesses.  

Objective 3

Working with Government State agencies and key partners, the FSAI will be prioritising food safety and authenticity. A stand-out deliverable is the intended collaboration with relevant Government Departments and State bodies to strengthen the protection of public health.

Objective 4

In the interest of fostering the highest standards of food safety, integrity, and authenticity, the FSAI will be promoting this message at food industry events. It also plans to establish ad-hoc sectoral groups to address specific compliance issues.

What could this mean for your business?

  • This could mean the introduction of a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (find out more)
  • Ad-hoc sectoral groups will be established to address specific compliance issues.
  • You should notice an improvement in the technology platforms used by the FSAI.

GOAL 2 – Reduce Risk

The FSAI’s second goal is to ‘Reduce Risk.’ Here, the agency highlights the importance of “anticipating, assessing, and managing risks that impact the safety and authenticity of food.” 

As with the first goal, this section features four key objectives, each with their own high-level deliverables planned for 2025-2027.

Objective 1

The FSAI will enhance its approach to communicating risks in the food chain and responding to food safety incidents. It strives for cross agency engagement and agreement, with updates communicated to consumers in a consistent and effective manner.

Objective 2

Ireland’s ability to manage risk will be strengthened through simulation activities and crisis preparation. Working with the European Food Safety Authority, the FSAI will also be contributing to the advancement of European risk assessment and communication.

Objective 3

Drawing on guidance from the FSAI Scientific Committee, along with its national and international regulatory and scientific partners, the agency will provide independent food safety advice to the Government in relation to the development of food system policy.

Objective 4

The FSAI intends to expand its knowledge and evidence base through “collaborative and contractual relationships with relevant partners.” The agency will also extract insights from its data systems and will use this evidence to inform improvements relating to food safety.

What could this mean for your business?

  • If a food safety incident occurs at your site, this will be communicated to consumers in a more consistent and effective manner.
  • You will need to comply with any changes to governmental policy surrounding food systems - informed by insights provided by the FSAI, along with its regulatory and scientific partners.
  • Crisis preparation and simulation activities will play an important role in risk management.

GOAL 3 – Enforce Food Law

The third goal of the FSAI Strategy 2025-2029 is to ‘Enforce Food Law.’ As the central Competent Authority for food law enforcement in Ireland, the agency commits to “taking appropriate enforcement action, to protect consumers within a coherent national regulatory framework.” 

There are three key objectives, each with their own high-level deliverables scheduled for 2025-2027.

Objective 1

The FSAI is dedicated to leading and supporting Ireland’s food safety inspectorate – driving the highest standards of food safety. High-level deliverables include the independent audits of official agencies and a review of service contract arrangements.

Objective 2

The second objective is to “strengthen the national regulatory framework for food safety.” The FSAI plans to do this through the enforcement of food laws on specialised topics, along with a consistent methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of official controls.

Objective 3

Finally, the FSAI intends to support legislative development on a national, European, and international scale. Over the next three years, it will be heavily involved in providing advice and input relating to the legislative framework surrounding food standards and regulations.

What could this mean for your business?

  • The FSAI hopes to address gaps and inconsistencies in the legislative framework.
  • There will be "strategic improvements in Ireland's official control system."
  • Your customers should have increased confidence in the safety of the food they are eating.

GOAL 4 – Drive Organisational Excellence

The final goal of the FSAI Strategy 2025-2029 is to “deliver better food safety outcomes for consumers” through the empowerment of the FSAI team and the alignment of the FSAI system. This will be facilitated by the agency’s “adaptive [and] values-driven leadership”.

This section feature four key objectives, each with their own high-level deliverables.

Objective 1

Although this won’t directly impact your business, it is worth knowing that the FSAI intends to maintain its status as an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative place to work. During the time period of 2025-2027, it hopes to implement a dedicated People Strategy.

Objective 2

Compliance with ISO 9001 is another priority listed in the FSAI Strategy 2025-2029. The agency intends for its systems, processes, and procedures to be migrated to a secure and reliable cloud platform. Data-driven insights will also be used to support agile prioritisation.

Objective 3

The third objective is to ensure “governance structures enable informed and accountable decision-making.” High-level deliverables include the continuation of a Business Continuity Plan, along with the ongoing maintenance of Government frameworks.

Objective 4

An important objective of the FSAI is to “embrace and leverage the opportunities provided by digitalisation, new technologies and the optimal use of data.” The result should be enhanced operational efficiencies and data-driven insights.

What could this mean for your business?

  • Your business will have access to enhanced data-driven insights from the FSAI.
  • The FSAI intends to switch to a cloud-based platform, embracing the digital era.
  • The FSAI will be fully compliant with ISO 9001.

We hope this article has provided you with a clear understanding of the FSAI Strategy for 2025-2029. From the introduction of a new Food Hygiene Rating Scheme to the elimination of inconsistencies in Ireland’s legislative framework, there are a wide range of points to consider.

If you would like to learn more about how Klipspringer can support you with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, you can contact us directly on 01473 461800 or sales@klipspringer.com Alternatively, you can complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.

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