A razor blade in minced meat is among the items alleged to have been found in food products in 2014, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

2,783 complaints were received about food safety, while the number of calls to the FSAI was up 8%, compared to 2013.

The FSAI said the increase reflected, in part, a growing awareness among consumers of the need to report poor hygiene practice.

Consumer complaints included reports of food unfit to eat, suspected food poisoning, poor hygiene standards and incorrect information labelling.

Reports included allegations of food contaminated with glass and dead maggots, as well as other foreign objects including a cigarette found in a fruit brack; wire in takeaway food and a metal bolt found in a tin of grapefruit.  

All complaints received by the FSAI were followed up and investigated by the HSE’s environmental health officers.

The FSAI said the increased activity reflected a demand among food businesses for information about labelling requirements and resources for food business start-ups, as well as a growing awareness among consumers of the need to report poor hygiene practice.

All complaints received by the FSAI were followed up and investigated by the HSE’s environmental health officers throughout the country.