asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has considered if each food manufacturer should be required to mark each package of pre-packed food with an indication of the date by which it should be consumed; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Package Marking.
48.
The question of date-marking of pre-packed foods is one of the many aspects of food standards generally which are being considered both nationally and internationally. Nationally, I expect that the question will be dealt with in the report of the National Consumer Advisory Council which I hope to receive in the next few weeks.
Internationally, the subject arises in connection with our participation in the preparation of EEC food directives and the food standards being promoted by the codex alimentarius. I shall consider the matter further when I receive the NCAC report.
Would the Minister not consider making an order now, even before he receives this report, to indicate to manufacturers that a requirement of this nature is likely so that they can run down their stocks of printed packages because I am aware of cases which, unfortunately, were not reported, of people getting maggots in some of these pre-packed foods?
Any manufacturers who want to be informed of the likely rate of development of legislation in this matter will certainly be facilitated by the Department but I could not make a blanket statement which would give firm dates at this moment. I share the Deputy's concern about the occasional instances of food which is not edible being offered for sale but I think this is an area in which we can make progress fairly quickly. It is a real issue and I await the recommendations of the NCAC which I feel —I do not want to pillory them in public—are now a little overdue. I would hope to have that report very soon.