A dead spider in a loaf of bread, a piece of glass in a chicken breast, and a large metal fragment in a chocolate chip cookie are just a few examples of foreign objects found in incompetent food.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said its advice line received 8,596 complaints and queries last year.
According to FSAI data, there were 4,996 consumer complaints in 2024, up 13.7% from 4,395 in 2023.
Of the 4,996 complaints in 2024, 32 percent involved contaminated food and 29 percent involved suspected food poisoning.
These figures reflect a general upward trend over the past decade.
The FSAI said all complaints were reviewed and investigated by food inspectors across the country.
The most common complaint in 2024 was food quality, meaning food that was unsafe to eat.
The unsuitability of products also implies the presence of contaminating objects.
- A large rubbery piece in a protein bar
- Dead spider in a loaf of black bread
- A piece of glass in a chicken breast
- A packet of muesli full of maggots
- Toothpick in a bag of chips
- Metal pin in pre-packaged shrimp
- A piece of plastic in a milkshake
- Metal nail in takeaway food
- Snail in a box of grapes
- Live insect in a burrito bowl
- Large piece of metal in chocolate chip cookie
The most common foreign objects found in food products are plastic, insects/spiders, hair, glass, metal and stones.
Examples of some complaints include a large piece of rubber in a protein bar, a dead spider in a loaf of brown bread, a piece of glass in a chicken breast, a packet of cereal containing maggots, a toothpick in a bag of chips, a metal pin in pre-packaged shrimp, a piece of plastic in a milkshake, a metal nail in a takeout meal, a snail in a box of grapes, a live insect in a burrito, and a large metal piece in a chocolate chip cookie.
Other complaints about unsuitable food included undercooked meat, food being served cold when it should be hot, and food having an “off” taste or smell.
The second most common complaint category included reports of suspected food poisoning, which accounted for 29 percent of total calls in 2024.
This is 23.3% more than the number of food poisoning complaints in 2023.
The third most frequently reported category involved poor sanitation, including reports of rodents in establishments, employees not wearing proper clothing, poor personal hygiene with employees openly coughing and sneezing, improper hand washing and using the same gloves to handle food and money, excessive flies and insects in food establishments, general filth in the premises, improper food storage and insufficient refrigerator and freezers, and storing food in boxes on the floor.
The breakdown of all complaints includes 1,597 complaints about unsuitable food, 1,449 complaints about suspected food poisoning, 1,289 complaints about sanitary standards, 169 complaints about labelling, 156 complaints in the “other” category, 155 complaints about allergen information and 81 complaints about an unregistered food business.
Greg Dempsey, CEO of FSAI, stressed the importance of bringing complaints to FSAI to resolve any food safety issues.
He said: “We welcome consumers and food industry businesses to contact us through our advice line.
“People’s reports of inappropriate and unsafe products
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
