Ireland needs to build capacity and capability to allow the country to react and deal effectively with any national or international food incident or crisis, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

In its new plan, published last week, the FSAI aims to set standards that are practical and recognised globally, while creating an environment where Ireland is a trusted and recognised leader in food safety.

The two year plan sets out the FSAI’s vision for protecting customers, continuously raising food standards and the creation of a culture of excellence in Ireland.

The new strategic approach will continue to review the regulatory landscape, industry innovations, advances in technology, new and emerging risks and the lengthening of the food supply chain.

Chairman of the FSAI, Professor Michael Gibney, said for the strategy to be successful it will require significant collaboration between the FSAI and its stakeholders.

“Our new strategy sets out a clearly defined vision, mission, values and strategic goals that will guide the organisation into 2018 and sets a new strategic platform for the future.

“Delivering this strategy will require working in collaboration with our stakeholders, as well as the Irish and global food safety community to ensure access to timely and accurate information that underpins our risk assessment and risk management systems to ensure safe and trustworthy food for everyone,” Gibney said.

Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, welcomed the strategy saying it showed the volume of of work that is carried out by the FSAI.

“There is nothing more fundamental to our health and well-being than the food we eat each and every day.

“We all like to know that someone, somewhere, is safeguarding our interests to ensure that the food we serve and eat meets with the highest hygiene and food safety standards,” Minister Kennedy said.