The Food Safety Company

What The Food Safety Company does

The Food Safety Company is an Ireland-based food safety consultancy and certified training provider, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Cork with a regional office in Dublin. It serves food businesses across the entire supply chain — farms, fisheries, food processors, manufacturers, contract caterers, hospitality groups, retailers, healthcare facilities, and startups — delivering HACCP plan design and updates, food safety audits benchmarked against Irish Standard 340, and ongoing compliance support under its proprietary Rest Assured Agreement and Hygiene Assured certification programmes. The company operates through a team of approximately 25 consultants and trainers, holding multiple accreditations including QQI Levels 4–6, FSPA licensed provider status, NHP and EHAI recognition, and alignment with the FSAI Training Framework at Levels 1–3.

The firm's core technology stack consists of three proprietary assets: the eCAT electronic audit reporting software used by consultants to conduct and benchmark audits; the SAFEWARE e-learning platform hosting over 80 certified online courses across food safety, health and safety, first aid, fire safety, and sustainability; and the Hygiene Assured third-party certification mark. Public certified training is delivered across six Irish cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Wexford, Waterford), complemented by in-house bespoke training at client premises, monthly virtual courses via video conferencing, and self-paced online learning. Notable enterprise clients include ISS (nationwide contract catering), Glenmar Shellfish Ltd, Gourmet Goodies Ltd, iNua Hospitality, Dunne & Crescenzi, and Milford Care Centre.

Revenue is generated through a mix of professional services (HACCP consultancy, audits, in-house and public training) priced on a quote-based / unit basis and a subscription / per-course model via SAFEWARE. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales, self-serve online booking, and a marketing engine spanning SEO, content marketing (blog, case studies, downloadable resources), email newsletter (MailChimp), organic social (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter), and event-based networking. The company operates as part of the Cork-based Chris Mee Group of companies alongside sister firm Occupli.

Name

The Food Safety Company

Legal name

The Food Safety Company

Website

https://thefoodsafetycompany.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Food Safety Company is an Ireland-based HACCP training and food safety consultancy, founded in 2000 and serving 560+ food businesses nationwide via 25 consultants, delivering certified training, audits, and ongoing compliance through its SAFEWARE e-learning platform and Rest Assured Agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Safety Consultancy and Training

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFALANAF

Training & Competency Programs (Food Safety, HACCP, PCQI, Internal Auditor)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS)

SECONDARYAFALADAG

Recall Readiness, Crisis Management & Regulatory Liaison

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Regulatory Compliance Testing & Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA, HACCP)

SECONDARYAFALACAE

Pre-Assessment, Gap Assessment & Certification Readiness Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Safety Certification Bodies (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, SQF)

SECONDARYEDABAEAN

Food Safety & Workplace Sanitation (HACCP, Hygiene)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Workplace Safety (EHS) Training

Keywords

• Food safety consultancy
• HACCP training
• Food safety auditing
• Food hygiene certification
• Regulatory compliance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cork

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Food Safety Consultancy Services: HACCP plan design/updates, food safety audits, quality assurance (Hygiene Assured), setting up a food business, labelling and nutrition analysis, and ongoing guidance through Rest Assured Agreement. Provided by a team of 25 experienced consultants to businesses across the food supply chain.
2. Public Certified Training Courses: Open enrollment training courses delivered in major cities nationwide (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Wexford, Waterford). Covers food safety levels 1-3, allergen awareness, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, and more.
3. In-House Training: Customised training programmes developed and delivered at client premises for their employees. Bespoke courses tailored to specific business requirements.
4. Online Training (SAFEWARE): Over 80 self-paced online courses accessible via the SAFEWARE platform on tablet, mobile, or desktop. Participants pay per course or subscription for certification.
5. Virtual Training Courses: Live virtual training delivered monthly via video conferencing for Level 2 and QQI accredited food safety training, providing an alternative to in-person sessions.
6. Health & Safety Risk Assessments: Risk assessments, safety statements, and health and safety consultancy services for food businesses and other sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Food Safety Company provides food safety consultancy, HACCP training (Levels 1–3) mapped to FSAI guidelines, food safety auditing (using the proprietary eCAT software), and ongoing compliance support to food businesses across Ireland's supply chain. Services are delivered through public certified training courses, in-house training at client premises, virtual courses, and the SAFEWARE e-learning platform hosting 80+ certified courses, complemented by a 24-hour support line under the Rest Assured Agreement model.

Product overview

The Food Safety Company offers a comprehensive suite of food safety and compliance solutions for the Irish food supply chain. The core offering consists of HACCP training programs (Level 1, 2, and 3) and food safety consultancy services, supported by an online e-learning platform called SAFEWARE with over 80 courses. The company provides add-on compliance modules including the Rest Assured Agreement for ongoing support, Hygiene Assured Certification for independent verification, and specialized services for COVID-19 response, allergen management, labelling, and kitchen design. Additional offerings include health and safety training (manual handling, fire safety, first aid), food safety audits using their proprietary eCAT software, and support for new food business setup. The portfolio is delivered through public courses, in-house training, and virtual formats across offices in Dublin and Cork.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HACCP Training Programs Food safety and HACCP training programs (Levels 1, 2, and 3) including Allergen Awareness, mapped to FSAI guidelines and accredited by QQI, FSPA, NHP, and EHAI. Available in online, virtual, public, and in-house formats for food handlers, supervisors, and managers across hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare.
• Food Safety Consultancy Expert food safety consultancy covering HACCP plan design and updates, food safety audits, quality assurance, labelling and nutritional analysis, food business setup, and kitchen design. Delivered by 25 experienced consultants to food businesses across the Irish supply chain.
• Online Training (SAFEWARE E-Learning Platform) E-learning platform hosting 80+ self-paced certified courses in food safety, health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, and sustainability, accessible on tablet, mobile, or desktop with Shopify-powered payment processing.
• Public Certified Training Courses Open-enrollment certified training courses delivered in venues across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Wexford, and Waterford, including Level 1, 2, and 3 food safety, allergen awareness, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, and more, booked directly via the website.
• In-House Training Customised training programmes developed and delivered at client premises for their employees, with bespoke content tailored to specific business and sector requirements, priced based on requirements and class size.
• Virtual Training Courses Live virtual training delivered monthly via video conferencing for Level 2 and QQI-accredited food safety training, providing a remote alternative to in-person sessions with personalisation and feedback.
• Food Safety Audits Professional food safety auditing services using proprietary eCAT software to assess compliance, benchmark sites against Irish Standard 340, and produce detailed management and client reports.
• Health and Safety Training Training courses covering manual handling, fire safety, chemical awareness, working at heights, VDU/ergonomics, patient handling, and other general health and safety topics for workplaces.
• First Aid Training PHECC-certified first aid training including First Aid Responder (FAR), PHECC FAR Refresher, Cardiac First Responder (CFR), and Emergency First Aid (EFA).
• Hygiene Assured Certification Independent third-party verification of the sanitation and hygiene standards of a business operation, providing a validated standard, a Hygiene Assured Mark, and a competitive edge for hygiene-aware customers across all forms of business.
• Rest Assured Agreement Ongoing compliance support agreement providing businesses with regular food safety audits, HACCP plan updates, and 24-hour support to ensure continuous food safety compliance and peace of mind.
• Rest Assured Agreement Plus Extended compliance package of the Rest Assured Agreement including kitchen design services and regulatory compliance support for food business setup, in addition to ongoing audits and 24-hour support.
• Labelling and Nutritional Analysis Consultancy services helping food businesses conform with regulatory requirements for product labelling and nutritional information (nutrition analysis).
• Setting Up a Food Business Comprehensive guidance and support from experienced professionals for entrepreneurs starting new food businesses, including navigating regulatory requirements, designing compliant premises, and implementing food safety systems from the outset.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9,000 people trained in HACCP programmes in 2021 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Badger & DodocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Badger & Dodo, one of Ireland's leading specialty coffee roasters, to deliver the Barista Skills Training course. Badger & Dodo provides the specialty coffee expertise and roaster knowledge while The Food Safety Company provides certification and course delivery. Participants learn espresso fundamentals, grinder calibration, milk steaming, latte art, and machine maintenance from industry specialists.
• OccupliminorOthersOccupli is listed as a partner under the partnerships section of the website. Occupli is the largest provider of Health & Safety, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Safety Consultants Training, Environmental and Carbon Emissions services in Ireland. They are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified and partner with leading international insurance brokers.
• KitchtechminorOthersListed as a partner on The Food Safety Company partnerships page. Kitchtech appears to be a kitchen design or equipment partner supporting the kitchen design services offered under Rest Assured Agreement Plus.
• Maria O'Neill DesignminorOthersListed as a partner on The Food Safety Company partnerships page. Maria O'Neill Design appears to be a design partner supporting food business setup and kitchen design services.
• Cork County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCork County Council initiative for startup food businesses. Jonaah Gordon-Boyd serves as Facilities Manager for Cork Incubator Kitchens, a Cork County Council initiative. The Food Safety Company provides food safety support, auditing, and compliance services to startup businesses operating from the incubator kitchens, working closely with the Council and liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.
• Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll services are designed in accordance with FSAI guidelines and mapped to the FSAI Training Framework (Levels 1, 2, 3). The Food Safety Company meets with Environmental Health Officers and works within the FSAI regulatory framework. Their HACCP training is specifically aligned with FSAI requirements.
• Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQQI is the national awards body for Ireland. The Food Safety Company is an approved QQI training provider offering programmes leading to QQI awards at levels 4, 5, and 6. Learner data (Name, Address, Date of Birth, PPS Number) is shared with QQI for certification and exam result registration purposes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LRQA: Global assurance and certification firm including food safety management system certification, training, and audit services. Compares on ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 certification readiness and food safety training delivery.
• SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company. Operates a global food safety testing and certification practice including training and audit services; competes broadly for enterprise food safety work.
• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC company with a substantial food and agri commodity testing and certification practice. Comparable on food safety audits and certification services for processors and manufacturers; operates at much larger scale.
• DNV: Global certification body with food safety management system certification (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000). Compares to The Food Safety Company on certification readiness, audits, and food safety training, though at global scale.
• Intertek: Global TIC firm with food services covering testing, auditing, and certification. Overlaps with The Food Safety Company in food safety audits and HACCP-related training/certification, especially for food manufacturer and retail clients.
• Ecolab: Global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, including food safety and sanitation services for hospitality and food processing. Comparable through its EcoSure food safety division providing audits, training, and certification.
• NSF International: Global food safety testing, certification, and training organization. Compares to The Food Safety Company on food safety training delivery and audit services, though at vastly larger scale and global geographic reach.
• TÜV SÜD: Global certification and testing company with food safety training, auditing, and certification services. Comparable in offering ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 certification and food safety training; operates across multiple geographies.

Direct peers

• Citation: UK provider of compliance services including food safety, health & safety, and HR support to small and mid-sized businesses. Comparable in offering bundled training, audits, and ongoing compliance support as a subscription-style service.
• Shield Safety Group: UK-based food safety and health & safety consultancy providing audits, training, and ongoing compliance support to hospitality and food businesses. Closest peer in business model: SME-focused food safety consultancy + training, geographic adjacency in the UK/Ireland market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheFoodSafetyCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefoodsafetyco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mary-daly-&-associates

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Food Safety Company