Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
297. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if she or the Food Safety Authority have concerns regarding Brazilian beef being sold and consumed in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38251/26]
View answer298. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the reason the Food Safety Authority did not name outlets where contaminated beef from Brazil was sold in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38252/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is responsible for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland, working in close cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and other official agencies to ensure that all food placed on the Irish market is safe to eat.
All meat, including beef imported from third countries such as Brazil, must comply with strict European Union food safety requirements. These include controls at approved Border Control Posts and ongoing official controls within the food chain, including traceability requirements. Where issues arise, appropriate enforcement action is taken, including withdrawal or recall of affected products, in line with EU and national legislation.
In relation to Brazilian beef, there is no general public health concern regarding its sale or consumption in Ireland where it complies with these regulatory requirements. As with all food products, any individual incident is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and proportionate action is taken to protect public health.
Regarding the identification of retail or food service outlets, the FSAI operates in accordance with the relevant legal framework governing food incidents and product recalls. Information is made available to the public where necessary to protect consumer health, including through food alerts and recall notices. The level of detail provided, including whether specific outlets are named, is determined based on the nature of the risk, the effectiveness of traceability, and the need to ensure that consumers are appropriately informed without causing undue alarm.
In circumstances where affected products have been successfully traced and removed from the supply chain, and where there is no ongoing risk to consumers, it may not be necessary to publicly identify specific outlets. However, authorised officers engage directly with relevant food businesses to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are taken.
The FSAI continues to work closely with enforcement authorities and food business operators to ensure a high standard of food safety and to respond rapidly and effectively to any incidents that may arise.
