SALSA In Ireland
For nearly 20 years, SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) has helped micro and small UK food and drink producers demonstrate that their products are safe, legal and produced to the highest standards.
This year, SALSA has expanded into Ireland, giving smaller Irish producers access to the same trusted food safety framework used by almost 2,000 approved UK members.
This move also helps retailers, wholesalers and food service operators manage cross-border supply chains with confidence, simplifying supplier approval and strengthening assurance for local, artisan and emerging brands.
Position Statement for SALSA and Republic of Ireland
What Does This Mean for Irish Producers?
Access to UK Markets
SALSA Approval demonstrates that you meet the food safety standards required by UK buyers and sell into the multiple UK specifiers.
Competitive Advantage
Stand out from the crowd with a trusted and independent certification.
Streamlined Compliance
Save time by avoiding the need to complete multiple SAQs and reduce the cost and disruption caused by numerous first-party audits.
Grow Your Capability
Benefit from mentoring, technical resources and support tailored to smaller producers.
Becoming the first SALSA Approved business in the Republic of Ireland has been transformative for our work at OCRAS. Achieving this standard has strengthened trust with hospitals, care homes, and partners who rely on us to deliver safe, consistent, and dignified food solutions for people with dysphagia. It has validated the systems and values we’ve built from the ground up — from our clinical approach to texture modification to our commitment to operational excellence in healthcare foodservice.
This certification also gives us the confidence and clarity to engage with NHS Trusts and care homes across the UK. It provides a recognised, robust assurance of our processes, traceability, and quality controls, helping new partners feel secure in choosing OCRAS as part of their clinical foodservice provision.
Since gaining approval, we’ve seen a significant increase in engagement from healthcare organisations, and it has opened doors to new collaborations while accelerating the adoption of our products. Most importantly, SALSA approval has amplified our mission: restoring dignity, safety, and choice to people with swallowing difficulties, and supporting more kitchens to deliver food that truly makes a difference.
Niamh Condon, Founder & Owner, Ocras - Dine with Dignity
Industry Specific Standards
The SALSA scheme has developed from the original Food & Drink Production audit to provide specific standards in association with leading industry associations.
SALSA Food & Drink Production
SALSA Food & Drink Production is a robust food safety Standard for small food and drink producers operating from a commercial kitchen. Our original Standard reflects both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of professional buyers.
Audit package cost: €1250
SALSA Brokers, Storage & Distribution
Designed specifically for small food and drink businesses, the Brokers, Storage and Distribution (BSD) Standard is especially relevant to local wholesalers, fine food and speciality distributors, and food brands that outsource their manufacturing operations.
A dual audit is available for eligible businesses engaged in brokers, storage, and distribution operations and food production.
Audit package cost: €1250
SALSA plus Beer in association with Cask Marque
SALSA plus Beer has been developed in association with Cask Marque, to offer small brewers a Standard tailored to the scale and systems of their brewing operation. The Standard includes the SALSA Food and Drink Production audit plus an extensive module on brewing, created by SALSA and Cask Marque.
Audit package cost: €1415
SALSA plus Cheese in association with the Specialist Cheesemakers Association
SALSA plus Cheese certification has been developed to offer small and micro cheesemakers a certification standard tailored to the scale and complexities of their operation. The Standard includes the SALSA Food and Drink Production audit plus an extensive module on cheesemaking, created by SALSA and The Specialist Cheesemakers Association.
*In order to be audited against SALSA plus Cheese, your business must have the most up to date copy of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association's Assured Code of Practice. It contains additional technical guidance and is free to SCA Members.
Audit package cost: €1620
SALSA is a good way for Center Parcs to be able to use quality local suppliers and products, safe in the knowledge that they meet relevant due diligence and safety levels.
Britain's leading independent food service provider for business and industry, believe SALSA to be an excellent food safety scheme supported by the right people
Booths works hard to develop own product ranges in partnership with local supplier and producers. SALSA compliments our aim of sourcing quality products with confidence in both their safety and provenance
We are working hard with the SALSA scheme to ensure it delivers an effective means for small producers to demonstrate due diligence.
The SALSA scheme assists suppliers in securing advice and support, alongside an auditable standard and therefore gives assurance of product compliance.
ASDA are endorsing the SALSA scheme as it provides the re-assurance that locally sourced branded products are safe and legal and are to the quality expected by our customers.
SALSA substantially helps small food manufacturers to sell directly to supermarkets, provides assurance that such companies are meeting safe and legal standards and assistance to these businesses to continually improve. It will encourage national organisations and businesses to procure food from small producers with confidence.
The Food Standards Agency is committed to promoting awareness of food safety. That is why we continue to support SALSA, which will improve food safety standards in small and local food businesses.
