Promotion of food safety
We believe that responsibility for the provision of safe food is shared amongst producers, processors, distributors, caterers and consumers. We promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and nutrition issues to each of these groups by:

• Providing food safety, nutrition advice and guidance
• Developing communications and promotion campaigns
• Maintaining a policy of accessibility and transparency
• Maintaining links with other statutory bodies with public health or food safety enforcement responsibilities.

Research into food safety
We promote and support research into all aspects of food safety including:

• Identifying priorities for research
• Commissioning and funding research projects
• Establishing a database of research programmes
• Disseminating research findings
• Recommending action arising from research findings
• Maintaining links with international research bodies.

Communication of food alerts
We have the responsibility to ensure prompt, accurate and complete dissemination of information on national and international food alerts by:

• Developing response protocols
• Liaising with enforcement agencies
• Promoting and/or arranging training
• Developing cross-border emergency response procedures.

Surveillance of foodborne diseases
We promote cross-border co-operation in the surveillance of foodborne diseases by:

• Identifying surveillance priorities
• Establishing a forum for the exchange of information
• Promoting collaboration, training and professional development
• Assessing and analysing surveillance data held by various Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland authorities
• Promoting the harmonisation of surveillance.

Promotion of scientific co-operation and linkages between laboratories
We promote co-operation and linkages between laboratories to maximise the value of the information gathered.  Under our remit we are:

• Developing a strategy for co-operation and linkages
• Developing a reporting system for rapid access to laboratory results
• Sharing knowledge and experience on methodologies of testing and surveillance
• Setting priorities for laboratory network development
• Advising on developing linkages
• Establishing and promoting IT solutions
• Monitoring effectiveness of linked laboratories systems.

Developing the cost-effective facilities for specialised laboratory testing
We are developing a strategy to maximise the effective delivery of specialised laboratory services for the island of Ireland. We do this by:

• Conducting a study of cost-effectiveness of the cost of available options
• Preparing proposals for the NSMC
• Overseeing the implementation of the strategy once approved by the NSMC.

Provision of independent scientific assessment
Through independent scientific advice of the safety and hygiene of food produced, distributed or marketed in the island of Ireland.