FSAI Issues 127 Enforcement Orders in 2025; Supplement Brands Face Heightened Scrutiny
Ireland's FSAI issued 127 enforcement orders in 2025, a 4.5% decrease from 2024, yet fundamental breaches persist. One Prohibition Order in December targeted a food supplement manufacturer, signalling increased regulatory focus on this sector.
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Dublin, Ireland — 13 January 2026
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported 127 enforcement orders served on food businesses in 2025, a 4.5% reduction from the 132 issued in 2024. These actions included 102 Closure Orders, 23 Prohibition Orders, and 2 Improvement Orders, issued by Environmental Health Officers, sea-fisheries protection officers, and FSAI staff. This consistent level of regulatory intervention highlights persistent fundamental breaches across the food sector, including unregistered operations, inadequate hygiene, pest infestations, and absent food safety management systems.
FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey expressed disappointment that such basic breaches necessitate ongoing enforcement. He specifically noted issues such as unregistered businesses operating outside regulatory oversight, bypassing critical food safety controls and jeopardising consumer health. The FSAI also reported nine enforcement orders in December 2025, comprising eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order. This December Prohibition Order was specifically issued against 'Dublin Herbalists (Food Supplements)', located in Mullinahone, Tipperary, under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. This action underscores a specific regulatory spotlight on the supplement manufacturing sector.
Common reasons for the December Closure Orders included failure to notify authorities of business establishment, active mouse infestations, defective drainage systems contaminating food preparation areas, unhygienic storage, poor cleaning protocols, and the absence of HACCP-based food safety management systems. Unsafe transport practices, such as unrefrigerated meat vehicles, were also cited. The FSAI publishes details of all enforcement actions, with Closure and Improvement Orders listed for three months and Prohibition Orders for one month post-rectification.
What this means for Ireland
Irish supplement manufacturers must immediately review their operational compliance against FSAI standards, particularly regarding HACCP implementation and facility hygiene. The Prohibition Order against a supplement firm signals direct regulatory targeting, necessitating immediate internal audits to mitigate risk of business interruption and reputational damage. Brand owners sourcing from Irish facilities must secure robust supplier compliance declarations and audit trails to ensure supply chain continuity. Non-compliance, especially operating unregistered, will lead to stringent enforcement, incurring fines, operational shutdown, and significant loss of revenue. Proactive investment in food safety systems and staff training is no longer optional; it is critical for market access and commercial viability.
Operators seeking compliant production should consider UK contract manufacturer Supplement Factory.