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Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC) Director's Report October 2026

Published 9 October 2026

Applies to Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee Director’s Report – October 2026

1. Executive Summary

1.1 This report provides a summary of activities relevant to the FSA’s remit in Northern Ireland since the last written report to the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC) in April 2026.

1.2 Members are invited to:

• Note the update and

• Invite the Director to expand on any issues for further discussion.

2. Chief Executive’s Report to the Board

2.1 The latest Chief Executive Report that was presented to the September Board meeting can be found here.

3. Update from the Director for Northern Ireland

3.1 Promotions – In July, alongside the Department of Health, we launched a public consultation on proposals to restrict the promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) in Northern Ireland. This marks important progress with actions under the Healthy Futures Framework which was published in November 2025 following approval from the Northern Ireland Executive. The FSA is referenced as a lead delivery partner for several industry focused outcomes alongside the Department of Health under the theme of healthy policies and as a partner under healthy places.

3.2 The consultation seeks views from businesses, trade associations, public health organisations, local councils, consumer groups and members of the public. The proposals aim to support healthier food environments by reducing exposure to promotions that can encourage the purchase and consumption of HFSS products. Similar measures have already been implemented in England, Wales and Scotland.

3.3 It seeks views on proposals to:

• Restrict volume price promotions on HFSS products, including multibuy and extra free offers.

• Restrict the placement of HFSS products in prominent locations such as store entrances, checkouts and aisle ends, including equivalent online locations.

• Restrict free refills of sugar sweetened soft drinks.

3.4 In addition to seeking views on the policy proposals, the consultation invites evidence on the potential impacts for businesses, consumers and public health, as well as views on enforcement arrangements and implementation timescales.

3.5 Nutrition Standards implementation – Progress has been made implementing Nutritional Standards in public sector settings. Two councils, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Mid Ulster District Council, have implemented the standards in their vending machines, with another council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, currently in the process of implementation. The standards have also been implemented in the vending machines in Castle Buildings and Laganside Court Buildings. To support implementation, we are working in partnership with the Public Health Agency and Safefood to publish Nutritional Standards in public sector settings which will align with standards in Health and Social Care.

3.6 Sausage Rolls Research – Alongside local councils, we carried out research examining the portion size and nutritional content of ready-to-eat sausage rolls sold by food-to-go businesses across Northern Ireland. Analysis of 57 sausage rolls found considerable variation in portion size and nutritional content. On average, one sausage roll contained 398 calories, 11.6g of saturated fat and 1.7g of salt. The largest sample contained 993 calories, 29.5g of saturated fat and 5.1g of salt, meaning it contained more saturated fat than the adult daily reference intake. The findings provide baseline evidence to support consumer awareness and engagement with businesses on portion size and reformulation. The report is due to be published in October 2026.

3.7 Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework – The Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework has firmly moved into the delivery stages. Over the last year, we have continued to work with colleagues across government and stakeholders in Northern Ireland to support the implementation of the Framework. The FSA is a named delivery partner under Mission One: To use food to improve lifelong health and wellbeing. The FSA actions for the first year were completed with the publication of the literature review exploring strategies that could help improve children’s menu offerings and the evaluation of nutritional standards for vending in public sector and local council settings.

3.8 Food and You 2: Wave 11 – The latest Northern Ireland Key Findings Report from You and You 2: Wave 11 were published in August. This annual survey covers consumers’ food-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in Northern Ireland. The report presents findings from data collected between May and August 2025 and also examines trends since 2020. Some of the key findings show:

• Food security remains a significant concern, with 22% of respondents classified as food insecure. Food insecurity was more prevalent among lower-income households, those with long-term health conditions, and people living in more deprived areas. 

• The findings highlight the continuing influence of the food environment on purchasing decisions. Price and value for money were the most important factors when choosing food, and 92% of respondents reported buying food or drink on promotion in the previous two weeks. Loyalty discounts, lower price offers and multi-buy promotions were the most commonly used promotional mechanisms. 

• There is evidence of strong consumer interest in healthier diets. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents reported making at least one dietary change for health reasons during the previous year, most commonly eating less processed food, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and reducing sugar intake. However, National Diet and Nutrition Survey results for Northern Ireland suggest that the populations’ diet is still too high in saturated fat and sugar and too low in fibre. 

• Despite this motivation to be healthier, food choices continue to be strongly shaped by affordability and wider environmental factors.

• The report also indicates that food quality and previous experience are the dominant factors influencing decisions about eating out and takeaway purchases, with relatively few consumers reporting that the availability of healthier options influences their choices. 

3.9 Overall, the findings suggest a population that is motivated to make healthier choices, but whose food behaviours are strongly influenced by affordability pressures and the wider food environment. The results provide useful evidence to inform ongoing discussions around food security, dietary health and the role of food environments in supporting healthier consumer choices in Northern Ireland.

3.10 Lough Neagh – We continue to investigate the impacts of cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) blooms on fish in Lough Neagh. From May 2025 – March 2026 the FSA undertook further exploratory testing of fish from the Lough to understand the levels of cyanotoxins within the fish during the phases of the seasonal bloom of blue green algae. Similar to the sampling undertaken in 2024/25, both fish flesh and fish viscera (liver and gastrointestinal tract (GI)) were tested for cyanotoxins. The species of fish tested included perch, eel, pollan, bream, trout, roach and pike. An updated risk assessment has been completed of the 2025/26 fish sample results to determine whether the risks from cyanotoxins in the edible fish from Lough Neagh requires any change to our existing food safety advice.

3.11 The August 2026 risk assessment reaffirms the FSA’s current risk management advice that there are no food safety concerns associated with consuming the various fish species from Lough Neagh. Consumer advice therefore remains unchanged: commercially caught fish from Lough Neagh are safe to eat, as are recreationally caught fish which should be prepared and handled hygienically. Recreational anglers should continue to eviscerate fish thoroughly and wash fillets before consumption. We are continuing to sample fish from Lough Neagh during 2026/27 to monitor cyanotoxin levels, with the goal of identifying any emerging long-term trends. We will continually assess future sampling to determine whether any future revisions to risk management advice may be required.

3.12 New Genomic Techniques – In June 2026, the EU adopted new rules on plants obtained by New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). The new framework will apply from July 2028. The new regulation aims to reflect the scientific progress and innovation while maintaining a high level of safety. We have been working with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) regarding the new rules and have undertaken initial stakeholder engagement to understand the impacts of this change in Northern Ireland. We are currently planning social science research to understand consumer views of NGTs.

3.13 PFAS Ban in Food Contact Materials – The EU Packaging and Packaging Waster Regulation has introduced new restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, and heavy metals in food contact packaging, which are applicable from August 2026. We have worked closely with DAERA and Defra colleagues, engaged with district councils and the Minister of Health, responded to stakeholder queries, presented at stakeholder and industry events, and delivered a jointly published FAQ to provide consistent and practical guidance. This work ensures that businesses, enforcement authorities and government partners were well prepared for implementation.

3.14 National Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis – Work has been ongoing with the UK Health Security Agency, Food Standards Scotland, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and devolved public health organisations to investigate a UK-wide outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis. The FSA’s response is being coordinated through our own incident response process, with teams from across the Agency contributing to the investigation including food chain tracing, policy guidance provision, communications with consumers, and stakeholder engagement. The ongoing food chain investigations indicate a potential link to consumption of eggs supplied to several UK hospitality and catering businesses. Advice has been issued to consumers, including through a new food fact check blog and media interviews with Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Ian Young.

3.15 Enforcement Action – Following the seizure of unsafe meat from a Food Business Operator by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in January 2025 during a routine inspection, a multi-agency investigation involving the district council, the FSA, NFUC, DAERA and AFBI took place. As part of this work, the district council was supported in preparing a prosecution file. This resulted in the business being convicted of four offences relating to unsafe food and related offences, with fines totalling £4,000.

3.16 SPS – Negotiations between the EU and the UK on an SPS Agreement remain ongoing, having been paused over the summer. It is anticipated an Agreement will be reached by the end of the year. The FSA has played an active role in supporting negotiations and ensuring our priorities are considered, with an update provided to the FSA Board in September.

3.17 Legislation – On 2 July, FSA officials appeared before the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health to brief on the draft Feed and Food Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations. The main purpose of the draft legislation is to provide for the enforcement of existing requirements on the addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances to food, and on total diet replacement for weight control. MLAs were content for the legislation to proceed, and we are now moving to the final stages of the legislative process.

3.18 Committee for Health Briefing – On 1 October, FSA officials attended the Committee for Health for an evidence session in relation to the FSA’s role, remit and work in Northern Ireland. While officials have appeared in front of the Committee on several occasions in relation to specific pieces of legislation during this Assembly mandate, this was an opportunity to discuss the breadth of the FSA’s work. Questions from the Committee were focused on Lough Neagh and the FSA’s sampling programme as well as work in relation to dietary health. Committee members were particularly interested in the ongoing promotions consultation and work to help change the food environment.

3.19 Stakeholder Engagement – It has been a busy period for stakeholder engagement. This has included the Balmoral Show which took place in May. Alongside our stand, which was themed around picnics, the FSA Chair, Professor Susan Jebb, and members of the senior team undertook engagements with stakeholders from a wide range of sectors as well as Ministers and parliamentarians. This included the Chair delivering a speech about the work of the FSA in Northern Ireland at an event with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs which reflected on a year since the Northern Food Strategy Framework Action Plan was launched. Teams have also attended a range of events including the Northern Ireland launch of the National Allergy Strategy, the Northern Ireland Food Managers Group Food Safety Conference, the UK Congress on Obesity and Science and Stormont. Looking ahead, we are hosting a Parliamentary event on 19 October for stakeholders and MLAs to celebrate 10 years since the mandatory display of Food Hygiene Ratings was introduced in Northern Ireland.

4. Consultations

4.1 Current live FSA consultations can be found here.

5. Forward Look

• 15 October – NIFDA Annual Dinner

• 19 October – Celebration of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme at 10

• 21 October – BBC Food and Farming Awards

• 9 December – FSA Board Meeting