What is the Irish Association of Health Stores?
The IAHS is a professional trade association, which represents over 80% of the health stores in the Republic of Ireland.
Health food is the fastest growing sector of food retailing in Ireland, and representing over 100 member stores, the IAHS exists to ensure that health food retailing is ethical, responsible, truthful and professional.
Founded in 1986, the Association operates under a written constitution and member stores are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. > Read more about the IAHS.
How does this website benefit me?
This website is provided for those seeking information on natural health care, details of their nearest health store, information on our Association, and what we stand for.
- You are able to access > articles on natural healthcare, and > latest news, submitted by IAHS members (Ireland's experts in natural healthcare). This service is provided to you for FREE and is here to help you, your family and friends to enjoy a happy and healthy life!
- By consulting our > member list, you can simply click on your county in Ireland to find your nearest IAHS health store.
- The members of the IAHS represent Ireland's leading health stores and their > Code of Ethics ensures their staff are trained to offer professional guidance and advice.
9 Jan 2012 - Article in UK Health Food Business Magazine
Top role for Irish retailer
The health food trade in Ireland has been recognised for its role in promoting good health after a leading retailer was appointed to a ministerial body.
Alan McGrath (pictured above) has been appointed by the Food Standards Authority of Ireland to the Food Safety Promotion Board, a North South Ministerial Council body, which operates under the name of Safefood. It has responsibility for the promotion of food safety, research, communication of food alerts and promotion of scientific co-operation and laboratory linkages.
Alan has been retailing with his wife, Marian, since 1994, originally as the Spice of Life deli and health store and latterly as The Health Store, in Tuam, County Galway. He is the outgoing Chairman of the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS), having served for the last three years.
“We see this appointment as recognition of the key role that the health food trade have played in relation to promoting good nutrition and health lifestyle,” Alan said. “Health food stores are now a key fabric in the retail sector in Ireland and the IAHS’ focus on training and good practice have ensured that responsible and safe practices are maintained and promoted in member stores.
“I see my key responsibility to bring the views of the natural product sector, smaller retailers and food operators to the table.”
