New research has found nearly half of the Irish population (45%) do not pay full attention to 'use-by' dates on food.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has revealed findings from its national attitudinal research.

It found that overall, there is confidence in the safety of Irish food with nine out of ten people (89%) saying food is as safe or safer than it was five years ago.

But consumers admitted they demonstrate risky behaviours in relation to food handling at home, with seven out of 10 claiming they have used food past its 'use-by' date.

Just over six in 10 (62%) leave leftovers to cool out of the fridge overnight, to eat in the next couple of days - with nearly half the population (49%) storing food in the fridge without any wrapping.

It has also shown a growing reliance on convenience food, with eight out of 10 people (84%) stating that they buy ready-to-eat or pre-prepared food from the supermarket, with over one-third (36%) buying at least weekly or more frequently.

Over one in 10 people use fast food chains or independent takeaways at least weekly (16% and 17% respectively).

The findings come as the FSAI launched a new strategy for the next five years, while also marking its 20th anniversary.

The new strategy for 2019 to 2023 sets out "a clear roadmap with benchmarks for achievement to further protect consumers of Irish food here and abroad."

It centres on four key goals:

• Enforcement and compliance
• Science, expertise and evidence
• Communication and engagement
• Organisational excellence

It incorporates increasing compliance with the law among Irish food businesses through enhanced collaboration, by leveraging the best science and evidence to further national policy for the benefit of consumer safety in relation to food.

The Minister of State with responsibility for health promotion, Catherine Byrne, said: "2019 marks twenty years of tireless work by the FSAI in promoting food safety and protecting public health.

"I am confident that through their new five year strategy, they will continue to build on this work, protecting the consumer and strengthening Ireland's position as a leader in food safety and integrity."

Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO of the FSAI, said the research will inform and feed into wider thinking.

She said: "Our new strategy set outs the FSAI's direction over the next five years to continue to be an effective state agency putting consumer health protection at the centre of all our activities.

"It incorporates a modern approach using collaboration with our partners, along with the best available science and evidence to deliver robust, proportionate and fair enforcement of the regulations.

"How and where we get our food is constantly changing with many factors impacting on food safety.

"Our strategy outlines our ambition, clear priorities and actions so that we are ready to adapt, always evolving and regulating swiftly within a rapidly changing food environment."