Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland

Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland Improving food standards, safety and nutrition in Northern Ireland and protecting people's health in Northern Ireland.

We are responsible for devolved matters relating to food safety, standards, nutrition and dietary health in Northern Ireland, and our responsibilities include:

We are responsible for devolved matters relating to food safety, standards, nutrition and dietary health in Northern Ireland, and our responsibilities include:

• Advising Ministers on food safety and standards issues
• Developing policy

and proposing legislation
• Providing timely and effective responses to food and feed incidents
• Setting standards and auditing district councils’ food enforcement activities
• Setting standards and auditing meat hygiene, feedingstuffs, eggs and milk enforcement by DARD
• Encouraging food producers and caterers to reduce the levels of saturated fat, salt and calories in food products
• Giving the public advice on diet and nutrition and food safety issues

Do you have questions about the proposed restrictions on the promotion and placement of products high in fat, sugar and ...
07/09/2026

Do you have questions about the proposed restrictions on the promotion and placement of products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS)?

Watch our short Q&A video and find out more before having your say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE0-xHCbSak&feature=youtu.be

You’ll get the answers to some frequently asked questions, like:

🗣️What’s being suggested and why
🗣️Who is likely to be impacted
🗣️What it means for freedom of choice

We’re keen to hear voices from right across society - individuals, businesses, community groups, advocacy organisations.

You can submit a response to the consultation online at https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-1/consultation-on-restricting-promotions-of-hfss/consultation/intro/

Just make sure you get your response in before the closing date - 21 October 2026 at 5.00pm!

Can you guess what’s the most common behaviour when shopping for food? According to the recently published Food and You ...
04/09/2026

Can you guess what’s the most common behaviour when shopping for food?

According to the recently published Food and You 2: Wave 11 report for Northern Ireland, it’s checking use by dates, something that 87% of respondents said they did!

Reassuringly, checking best before dates was also a common behaviour with 83% of respondents stating they do this.

Second challenge - can you guess the top two factors Northern Ireland respondents considered when choosing food?

Well…. the first was price/value for money (54%) and the second was quality (43%).

Food and You 2 is a Food Standards Agency (FSA) commissioned annual official statistic survey which measures consumers’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food-related topics among adults aged 16 or over, in England, Wales, Northern Ireland.

The latest report presents findings from Wave 11 (May-August 2025) and also presents trends from Wave 1 (July–October 2020) onwards.

Read all the latest Food and You 2 Wave 11 findings here https://bit.ly/4zJHG36

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. Foods like eggs, raw meat, undercooked chicken and unpasteu...
03/09/2026

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. Foods like eggs, raw meat, undercooked chicken and unpasteurised milk can contain Salmonella.

Anybody can develop symptoms of Salmonella illness, but some people are more at risk of becoming severely unwell.

Who is more vulnerable?

- Pregnant women
- Young children
- Older people
- People with underlying health conditions (e.g. cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease)

Most eggs sold in UK supermarkets carry the British Lion mark, meaning they’re produced to standards that make them safe to eat even if the yolk is still runny or the egg isn’t fully cooked, including for vulnerable groups.

If you’re preparing eggs at home, check for the British Lion mark. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly after handling eggs or egg packaging.

When eating out, if you're more vulnerable to Salmonella illness, make sure any eggs you eat are fully cooked, as they may not be British Lion mark or Laid in Britain assured.

Find out more about Salmonella, including how to reduce the risk at home or when eating out: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/salmonella/salmonella

03/09/2026

Did you know that there are seven key types of food crime?

Not many people do!

That’s why we’ve created a short video to explain the different types of food crime and the risk that they can pose.

Keith Young, Food Fraud Assistant at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), discusses:

“We know that changes in our operating environment, like the cost-of-living crisis, can impact on the volume and type of crimes occurring in communities. Food is an essential that everyone needs, and in Northern Ireland the food industry is worth over £8 billion and is the region’s largest manufacturer. This can make it attractive to criminals.

While food crime is often seen as a regulatory issue, food crime may involve serious and organised criminality including fraud, exploitation, money laundering and other offences that put public health and safety at risk.”

Play your part – keep our food industry safe

We have a small ask of you as consumers, as Ed McDonald, Food Fraud Liaison Officer, FSA, outlines,

“If you suspect food crime, ring the National Food Crime Unit confidential hotline on 0800 028 1180 and share the information you have. This will help build the intelligence picture to support effective action. By working together, we can keep our food industry and our communities safe.”

You’ve just boiled a pot of rice but realise it is too much for today’s dinner. Here is what to do with your extra rice:...
02/09/2026

You’ve just boiled a pot of rice but realise it is too much for today’s dinner. Here is what to do with your extra rice:

🍚Cool it down quickly. Taking it out of the pot or rice cooker will help cool it faster.
🍚Put the cooled down rice in the fridge.
🍚Enjoy within 24hrs by reheating throughout, making sure it is steaming hot all the way through.

Rice can be safely enjoyed the next day, if it has been cooled and stored correctly.

Remember to only reheat rice once. Reheating more than once can increase the risk of illness.

Northern Ireland Key Findings Report, Food and You 2: Wave 11 PublishedFood and You 2 is a Food Standards Agency (FSA) c...
28/08/2026

Northern Ireland Key Findings Report, Food and You 2: Wave 11 Published

Food and You 2 is a Food Standards Agency (FSA) commissioned annual official statistic survey which measures consumers’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food-related topics among adults aged 16 or over, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The report published today presents findings from Wave 11 (May-August 2025) and also presents trends from Wave 1 (July–October 2020) onwards. It explores consumers’ views and presents key findings on a range of issues including:

- Food security

“78% of respondents were classified as food secure, and 22% were classified as food insecure”

- Eating out and takeaways

“Quality of food (82%) and previous experience (78%) most important factors when choosing to eat out”

“Quality of food (77%) and previous experience (80%) most important factors when choosing to order takeaways”

- Supplement Use, Diet and Nutrition

“68% of those who take supplements, take them for health and wellbeing”

- Food Shopping – Important factors when shopping

“92% bought food or drink on promotion in the last two weeks”

Read all the latest Food and You 2 Wave 11 findings here https://bit.ly/4zJHG36

Address

10a Clarendon Road
Belfast
BT13BG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443303327149

Website

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