The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will visit Thurles, Co. Tipperary for 4 days next week. The service will attend at The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles from next Monday, June 24th, until Thursday, June 27th, from 4:50pm – 8:10pmeach day.
This year, it is estimated that the Blood Transfusion Service will require at least another 15,000 new blood donors nationally, so first-time blood donors are especially invited to come along or make an appointment by Telephoning 1800 222 111.
With increasing demand for blood, here is an opportunity for both existing donors and new donors to assist in saving a life, which could in fact be their own.
Possible presence of peanuts in BFree Sunflower and Pumpkin Seed Loaf
Alert Summary dated Friday, 21 June 2024.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A21 Allergen: Peanuts Product Identification: BFree Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Loaf; pack size: 350g Batch Code: All best before dates up to and including 04/12/2024 Country Of Origin: Poland
Message: All current batches of BFree Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Loaf may contain peanut which is not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts. Two styles of packaging are illustrated below.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland warn of possible presence of milk in specific batches of Ensure Nutrivigor Almond Flavour Nutritional Shake.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, 13 June 2024.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A20. Allergen: Milk. Product Identification: Ensure Nutrivigor Plant-Based Almond Flavour Nutritional Shake; pack size: 400g and 850g. Batch Code: 1195461 and 1195476; best before: 09-Jul-24. Country Of Origin: Singapore.
Message: Milk may be present in the above batches of Ensure Nutrivigor Plant-Based Almond Flavour Nutritional Shake however it is not declared on the label. This may make the implicated batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk.
Today Wednesday, June 12th 2024, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that nine Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of May for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on:
The Village Grocer, Upper Main Street, Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary.
Four Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Summerhill, Dublin 1
Dublin Pizza Company (take away), 32 Aungier Street & 35 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
D1 Cafe and Bakery, 52 Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1
Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on:
Istanbul Bite (Closed area: boiler room and potato peeling room) (take away), Upper Cork Hill, Youghal, Cork
Applegreen Cobh (fuel pumps external to the shops are not subject to this Closure Order), Tiknock, Cobh, Cork
Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
Fresh Oriental Store Limited, 30-32 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1
Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Dublin 1
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in May include: evidence of rodent infestation, including dead rodents in multiple areas, including under a fridge and under shelves on the shop floor; raw fish defrosting at room temperature in a dirty container on the floor of the kitchen area; accumulation of dirt, cobwebs and dead insects on floors; inadequate cleaning and a build-up of waste stored in a room next to toilets with foul odour and flies present; no hot water, soap or paper towels available at the wash hand basin in the staff toilet; absence of an adequate food safety culture particularly regarding training of staff.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that breaches of food safety legislation pose a real danger to consumer health. She stated that “This month has seen a decrease in Closure Orders from April, with a reduction of over 50% in orders served. However, the fact remains that food safety is not an optional luxury when operating a food business. It is a legal requirement in food law to protect the health of consumers. By neglecting to uphold basic food safety and hygiene standards, a business not only jeopardises the health of its customers, but also risks damaging its own reputation as a trustworthy food business. The food industry must continue to improve its adherence to food safety legislation to ensure consumers’ health is protected.”
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months, from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.
There are no signs yet of an improvement in water quality and more action is needed, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
There has been no significant change in any of the water quality indicators for Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters in 2023 and no sign of improvement overall.
While improvements are happening in some rivers and lakes, these are being offset by declines elsewhere.
The biggest issue impacting water quality is nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater.
Average nitrate levels in rivers, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters are largely unchanged and remain too high in the east, southeast and south.
Average phosphorus levels in rivers and lakes are also largely unchanged and remain too high in over one quarter (27%) of rivers and one third (35%) of lakes.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published Water Quality in 2023: An Indicators Report. The report provides an update of the key indicators of the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and groundwaters using monitoring data collected in 2023.
Overall, the report shows that there has been no significant change in water quality. Water quality in Ireland is not improving and nutrient levels remain too high in a large proportion of water bodies. The biological health of our rivers and our lakes have shown small net declines. While some improvements are being made, these are being offset by declines elsewhere.
Photograph taken today 12th June 2024, of the appalling state of River Suir water quality at Barry’s Bridge, Thurles town centre, Co. Tipperary. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “It is disappointing to report that our water quality is not improving. While there are initiatives happening nationally, measures to address water quality are not being implemented at the scale or pace required. The quality of our water bodies will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in areas where they are elevated. It is essential that there is full compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and that actions to reduce losses of nutrients from agriculture are targeted to where they are needed. We also need to see an acceleration in the pace at which Uisce Éireann is delivering improvements in wastewater infrastructure.”
Photograph taken today, 12th June 2024, of street drain waste water run-off, including plastic paper and possibly toilet paper, being allowed to enter the river Suir at Barry’s Bridge, Thurles town centre, Co. Tipperary. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Nitrogen pollution remains a significant issue in the east, southeast and south of the country. 42% of river sites, 17% of estuarine and coastal waters and 20% of groundwater sites all have nitrogen levels that are unsatisfactory. This is primarily attributable to intensive agricultural activities on freely draining soils in these areas.
Phosphate levels can fluctuate annually but overall there has been no significant change over recent years. Some 27% of river sites and 35% of lakes (particularly in the north and northeast) have elevated phosphorus levels. Phosphorus entering our waters is largely associated with poorly treated wastewater and run-off from agricultural lands with poorly draining soils.
Appalling state of River Suir at Barry’s Bridge, central Thurles town, pictured today 12th June 2024. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Ms Mary Gurrie, EPA Programme Manager, added: “The report shows that more action is needed to achieve our legally binding water quality objectives. It is imperative that the next River Basin Management Plan, which is now over two years late, is published without further delay. Associated with this, there needs to be a significant improvement in the tracking and reporting of measures, to identify what is and isn’t working so that actions can be adapted or enhanced where needed to deliver water quality improvements.”
Readers Please Note:
Nitrate: Nitrate is a form of nitrogen which is a nutrient and essential for plant growth. Too much nitrogen in a water body can lead to the over-growth of plants and algae that outcompete and displace other flora and fauna. This excessive growth can also cause oxygen depletion and damage the ecology of our water bodies. Our estuaries and coastal waters are particularly sensitive to high nitrogen concentrations. The main source of excess nitrate in the environment is agriculture, with wastewater also contributing. Nitrate concentrations above the Drinking Water Standard can pose a risk to human health, particularly for young children.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a nutrient which is essential for plant growth. As with nitrogen, too much phosphorus in a water body can lead to the over-growth of plants and algae which disturb the ecosystem. Excess phosphorus is a particular concern for the ecological health of rivers and lakes. The main sources of excess phosphorus in the environment are agriculture and wastewater as shown in pictures featured above.
Water Quality in 2023: An Indicators Report is now available on the EPA website, HERE.
Further information on water quality is available on External link HERE.
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