Dead spider in bread and glass in chicken breast among items found in food

By Cate McCurry, PA

A dead spider discovered in a loaf of bread, a piece of glass in a chicken breast and a large piece of metal found in a chocolate biscuit are among some of the foreign objects found in unfit food.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has revealed that its advice line received a total of 8,596 complaints and queries last year.

The FSAI said there were 4,996 complaints from consumers in 2024, a 13.7 per cent increase compared with 2023’s 4,395 complaints.

Of 2024’s 4,996 complaints, 32 per cent related to unfit food and 29 per cent to suspected food poisoning.

The figures reflect an overall upward trend over the past decade.

The FSAI said that all complaints were followed up and investigated by food inspectors throughout the country.

Unfit food, which is food that is not safe to eat, was the most frequently reported complaint in 2024.

Unfit food also includes contamination with a foreign object.

Commonly reported foreign objects in food included plastic, insects/spiders, hairs, glass, metal and stones.

Examples of some of the 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 pack of muesli full of maggots; a toothpick in a bag of chips; a metal pin in pre-packed prawns; a piece of plastic in a milkshake; a metal nail in a takeaway meal; a snail in a box of grapes; a live insect in a burrito bowl; and a large piece of metal in a chocolate biscuit.

Other complaints regarding unfit food cited undercooked meats, food served cold when it should be hot, and foods with “off” tastes or smells.

The second most frequently reported category related to reports of suspected food poisoning making up 29 per cent of the total complaints in 2024.

This was an increase on the 23.3 per cent of food poisoning complaints in 2023.

The third most frequently reported category related to poor hygiene standards with reports of rodents spotted in businesses; staff not wearing appropriate clothing; poor personal hygiene with staff openly coughing and sneezing; staff not washing hands and handling food and money with the same gloves; excessive flies and insects spotted in food businesses; generally unclean premises; food not being stored correctly with fridges and freezers not cold enough; and food being stored in boxes on floors.

The breakdown of all complaints included 1,597 for unfit food; 1,449 for suspected food poisoning; 1,289 for hygiene standards, 169 for labelling; 156 falling under ‘others’; 155 for allergen information; and 81 complaints relating to unregistered food business.

 

Greg Dempsey, chief executive of FSAI, stressed the importance of making complaints to the FSAI so that any food safety issues can be addressed.

He said: “We welcome consumers and food businesses contacting us via our Advice Line.

“People reporting inappropriate and unsafe food and practices is vitally important and is an essential component, supporting the work of the food inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and quality across the food chain.

“The year-on-year increase in complaints to the Advice Line reflects an increased awareness among consumers of the importance of food safety and also demonstrates their zero-tolerance approach when it comes to poor food safety and hygiene standards in food products and in food premises.

“Food businesses have a legal obligation to provide safe food and it is vital that food businesses ensure they adhere to the legislation at all times.

“The FSAI Advice Line, supported by a comprehensive website and learning portal, are important resources for the food industry, and we encourage all food business operators to avail of these free and accessible tools.”