Welcome to the National Hygiene Partnership
The National Hygiene Partnership (NHP) was established in 1995 after the Council Directive 93/43/EEC on food safety standards was published. This directive flagged significant changes in food preparation standards and practices and posed a major challenge for the Hospitality and Catering sectors. From the outset, the National Hygiene Partnership’s purpose and role was clearly defined as that of a change agent through the adoption of a strategy which would enable the development, promotion and co-ordination of a range of food safety training initiatives for these sectors. The organization was originally comprised of seven member organizations and its Mission Statement, Goals, Objectives and Policies were developed on this basis.
Following an in-depth strategic review in 2009 it was decided to expand the scope of the National Hygiene Partnership to embrace the wider food industry. The NHP now represents the food safety training requirements of thirteen member organizations comprised of Government Agencies and Industry Representative Bodies that have a key interest in and responsibility for the promotion of food hygiene. The NHP Management Committee is drawn from representatives of each of these member organisations.
Member Organisations
Fáilte Ireland provides strategic and practical support to develop and sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourist destination. We work with the tourism industry in areas including business support, enterprise development, training and education, research, marketing and regional development.
Address:
88 – 95 Amiens Street
National Standard Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
NSAI is responsible for the development of Irish Standards, representing Irish interests in the work of the European and International standards bodies CEN and ISO, and for the publication and sale of Irish Standards.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)
The principal function of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in the State meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available. The FSAI aims to ensure that food complies with legal requirements, or where appropriate with recognised codes of good practice.
Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI)
The Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) is a professional voluntary non profit organisation founded in 1966 for managers in the hotel and tourism hospitality sector in Ireland. The main focus is the professional interests and needs of managers within the Irish tourism hospitality industry.
Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA)
First established in 1969 EIQA is the Irish National Quality Association known specifically for hygiene and quality programmes. EIQA offer solutions to customers that are committed to improving their hygiene and quality standards and view a nationally recognised accredited programme as key to their company’s future. All EIQA programmes are built on a proven framework to ensure an organisation’s progress.
Safefood (The Food Safety Promotion Board)
Safefood is a North-South body, responsible for the promotion of food safety in the island of Ireland. It was established in 1999 under the terms of the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 and the North-South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) Northern Ireland Order 1999. The governing legislation confers the following specific functions on the organisation: – Promotion of food safety; Research into food safety; Communication of food alerts; Surveillance of foodborne disease; Promotion of scientific co-operation and laboratory linkages; and Development of cost-effective facilities for specialised laboratory testing. In addition to these specific functions, safefood has a general remit to act as an independent source of scientific advice.
Address:
Abbey Court, Block B
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority
An t-Údarás um Choisaint Iascaigh Mhara
The SFPA was established under the provisions of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 and is Ireland’s competent authority for Seafood Safety and Sea-Fisheries Protection.
The SFPA’s mission is:
“To apply sea fisheries conservation legislation and seafood safety legislation fairly and consistently in accordance with the provisions of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, and to promote compliance with the law co-operatively with sea-fisheries and seafood sectors and other relevant interests, with the overall objective of ensuring that the marine fish and shellfish resources from the waters in Ireland’s EEZ are exploited legally and consumed safely for the long term benefit of all.”
Based in Clonakilty, County Cork, the SFPA has a number of offices in the major ports around the coast, at Killybegs, Ros aá Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth
Address:
Block B, Marine Headquarters
Teagasc is the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and the broader bioeconomy that will underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.
Ashtown Food Research Centre
Environmental Health Officers´ Association (EHOA)
The Environmental Health Officers Association’s function is to promote Environmental Health and to educate, advise and heighten the awareness of Environmental Health issues among the public and the profession. The Association provides and validates courses in Food Safety for Food Workers, and Managers of Catering establishments.
Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI)
The Restaurants Association of Ireland is the representative group for the Irish Restaurant Industry. Founded in 1970 the organisation has over 500 members. The Association provides a wealth of benefits and services to restaurant owners; it also currently provides a comprehensive package of training programmes for restaurant owners, managers/supervisors and operatives, covering a wide range of skills and disciplines. There are ten regional branches of the Association, each of which is headed up by a branch chairperson.
Food Safety Professionals Association (FSPA)
The Food Safety Professionals Association members provide their expertise in Food Safety Consulting, Training, Auditing and Mentoring to the Hospitality, Catering, and Retail Food Sectors throughout Ireland.
Accredited Food Safety Training – EHOA Primary Food Safety, NHP Management of Food Hygiene, Food Hygiene FETAC level 4, Food Safety & HACCP FETAC level 5. Allergen and other food sector training also provided on request. See website for individual member profiles – www.fspa.ie.
Address:
Food Safety Professional Association
Catering Managers Association of Ireland (CMAI)
Catering Management Association of Ireland is an association of qualified professional caterers. Founded in 1956, it was formed primarily to represent managers in the industrial and institutional sectors. In recent years, the membership database has expanded to include a varied cross section of caterers: Healthcare, Hospitals, Day Care, Schools, Colleges, Banks, Contract Cleaners, Training and Teaching, Golf Clubs, as well as Trade, Retired and Honorary members. We have approximately 160 members countrywide.
Address:
c/o Emer Bent, President
Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI)
Patient Food Service, A.M.N.C.H.
Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI)
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) was established in 1973 from smaller Associations for the protection and betterment of the livelihood of the individual publican. The VFI has approximately 4,500 members and is a firmly established strong national Trade Organisation.
The VFI is responding to the needs of our members on an ongoing basis and it is our objective to continue to upgrade, expand or provide additional services, schemes, information or advice to our members. The VFI exists specifically to represent our members.