Irish hospitals and healthcare providers received more awards for excellence in food safety than any other sector at the Food Safety Assurance Awards.
The 20 award winners, included eight hospitals and four educational institutions, were recognised for their excellence across a number of criteria, such as structural and operational hygiene; food safety and protection; personal hygiene and staff facilities; as well as food safety management systems documentation.
Winners that were commended by the industry organisation included the Rotunda Hospital; National Maternity Hospital Holles Street; St Patrick's University Hospital; Clontarf Hospital (the Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland); Temple Street Children's University Hospital; St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown and Raheny; the National Rehabilitation Hospital; South Tipperary Health Service Catering Department; and Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home.
Educational institutions were the next most commended sector, with Cork Institute of Technology; Dublin Institute of Technology; Coláiste na Rinne; and Waterford Institute of Technology all receiving the industry accolade. A number of privately-operated kitchens also received an award, including Get Fresh Catering; Le Gourmet Wholefoods; Gorey Catering at Croke Park; Kelly Bros Meats; Carambola Kidz; and Roadbridge Head Office Canteen.
Mary Daly, chairman of the Food Safety Professional Association, said: "This year was an outstanding one for the Food Safety Assurance Awards in terms of the high standards of quality from all entrants. With food services businesses facing more scrutiny than ever, more and more companies strive for excellence, which we are here to recognise today. The awards really embody all that is great about Irish food producers, and encourage food businesses to reach and maintain high standard of food safety."
Yoichi Haoshi, catering manager at the Rotunda Hospital commented: "We are overjoyed to be a recipient of such a prestigious award. We are continuously investing in our food safety. I truly believe a vibrant canteen serving [a] healthy and contemporary food offering contributes to a happy work place. We really work well together as a team at the Rotunda and are proud to have our hard work recognised with this award. I would like to thank the incredible in-house catering staff for their commitment to ensuring the safety of our patients at the most basic but fundamental level."
