Food and Feed Safety and Quality

In this area you will find information related to hygiene, quality, and welfare issues in the food chain, from animal slaughter at meat plants through to processing and packaging.

The Veterinary Public Health Unit (VPHU) within the Veterinary Service of DARD carries out food safety inspections, verification and audit functions in approved slaughterhouses and cutting establishments on behalf of the Food Standards Agency. In addition the VPHU ensures animal health and welfare regulations are adhered to in approved slaughterhouses.

DARD implements legislation pertaining to Feed and Food Safety and Quality. This involves approval, registration and inspection of production and processing establishments. Quality Assurance Branch (QAB) undertakes food safety work on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and is the competent authority for enforcement of the feed hygiene legislation.

DARD also funds an active Food Safety research programme conducted through the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI). This includes the development and application of novel technology to improve food safety, for example, the use of high pressure treatments of foodstuffs.