The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recently reported on a microbiological survey of chilled and frozen coated poultry.  

Between 5 September and 28 November 2022, 382 samples were collected by Environmental Health Officers for this national microbiological survey. 

From 2018 to 2020, a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections was caused by the consumption of frozen breaded poultry products in the European Union/European Economic Area and the United Kingdom.  

On the basis of this outbreak, a national microbiological survey was undertaken by the FSAI in conjunction with the National Environmental Health Service and the Health Service Executive Official Food Microbiology Laboratories, to gain a better understanding of the microbiological quality of chilled and frozen coated poultry meat preparations and poultry meat products intended to be eaten cooked. 

The survey found that 1.3% (5/382) of non-ready-to-eat chilled and frozen coated poultry placed on the market in Ireland were contaminated with Salmonella Infantis; the isolates of which exhibited various patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  

As a result the FSAI reminds manufacturers of chilled and frozen coated poultry to ensure they have a robust food safety management system in place based on principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) as well as the need to carefully follow Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down the specific hygiene requirements that must be implemented when handling food of animal origin at all stages of the food chain. 

They also highlight that it is imperative to ensure such products are clearly labelled as non-ready-to-eat products and they must have valid cooking instructions labelled on the packaging. 

The report also recognises that consumer advice is required to raise public awareness on microbiological risks regarding undercooking and unhygienic handling of chilled and frozen coated poultry. Consumers need to follow the cooking instructions exactly as labelled on the product packaging and adhere to good hygienic practice during preparation to minimise the risk of salmonellosis. 

Read more here  

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have published their most recent Consumer Insights Tracker which covers the period January – March 2025.  

Key findings: 

• Approximately a fifth of respondents (21%) were worried about being able to afford food in March 2025. This represents a decrease from December 2024 (26%).  

• In March 2025, 19% of respondents reported worrying about the availability of food for their household in the next month. This remained consistent throughout the quarter (19% in January, 21% in February, and 19% in March). These figures were lower than the 24% who reported worry in December 2024. 

• Food prices (87%) and ultra-processed food (78%) were the top two food concerns in March 2025. The percentage who reported concern about these issues has been relatively stable over time and is in line with this time last year. 

• Looking at data from January to March 2025 combined, respondents aged 16-34 and 35-54 were more likely than those aged 55+ to report being highly concerned about food prices (53% and 54% vs 41%) and food poverty and inequality (40% and 38% vs 30%). Respondents limited by a disability/health problem were also more likely to be highly concerned about food prices (54%) and food poverty (41%) vs those not limited (46% and 33%). 

• 63% were confident in the food supply chain in March 2025. Confidence in February (64%) and March (63%) is higher than September 2024 – January 2025. 

• Among those with some knowledge of the FSA, the proportion who trust the FSA to do its job rose from 57% in December 2024 to 64% in March 2025. Over the same period, confidence in the FSA communicating openly with the public about food-related risks rose from 64% to 70%. 

Read the full report here