The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has identified three areas for research: emerging food safety risks, food chain vulnerability assessments, and fresh produce traceability.

FSAI says that research is needed to address knowledge gaps, support regulation, and identify emerging issues and threats to the Ireland food system. 

Vulnerability assessments are necessary to prioritize monitoring and surveillance, and to understand food chain security. Key supply chains in Ireland should be mapped, and points of vulnerability establed. Priorities are beef, pork, poultry, and white fish product sectors. 

FSAI also wants data on food supplements (such as consumption and composition) and seafood consumption for children to help with risk assessment. 

Last year, another FSAI publication looked at new and emerging food processing technologies, and potential risks to food safety. It included high-pressure processing, ultraviolet light, radio frequency heating, electron beam processing, cold plasma, and ozone treatment.