Sargent Unveils New Hygiene Standards

New hygiene standards unveiled by Minister of State Trevor Sargent this week will impact Ireland's 45,000 food businesses.

The new regulations are intended to ensure Irish businesses comply with European Union food hygiene standards and will affect food retailing, food traceability and catering for tourists.

The new regulations particularly affect the tourism catering sector, which accounts for more than 20% of food businesses in Ireland, employing over 240,000 people.

The new codes provide guidance to food businesses operating in the catering sector, while also providing guidance for the food retailing and wholesaling sector.

The European food industry employs more than 2.6 million people and is worth an estimated €540 billion.