FSAI Consumer Complaints Jumped 23% to 6,135 in 2025, Unfit Food and Hygiene Top Issues

Consumer complaints to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) increased by 23% in 2025, reaching 6,135. The majority of these complaints concerned unfit food and hygiene standards.

Over 2,000 complaints involved unfit food, including foreign objects like a fingernail in a cake, a staple in an Indian meal, a battery in almonds, a slug in noodles, and a live moth in salad. Nearly 1,700 complaints related to hygiene, citing issues such as rodents in businesses, staff not wearing appropriate clothing, and staff not washing hands or smoking in aprons.

Suspected food poisoning accounted for 26% of complaints, a slight decrease from 29% in 2024. FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey stated that public reporting is crucial for identifying and addressing food safety risks, reflecting increased consumer awareness and confidence.