asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a Dublin jam manufacturing concern was convicted and fined recently, following a prosecution for failure to remedy a sanitary nuisance; also, that this firm were the defendants, last year, in an unsuccessful civil action for damages for loss sustained through food poisoning, brought by a person who was alleged to have consumed jam produced by them; whether, having regard to these facts, he is satisfied that this firm is taking all necessary steps to preserve the purity of their products; and further, whether he will state if the firm is still permitted to market its jams.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Jam Manufacturing Concern.
In regard to the first part of the question, it is understood from the local authority that premises in respect of which a jam manufacturing firm were prosecuted for a sanitary offence were not, in fact, used for the manufacturing of jam.
I have no information concerning the civil action mentioned, which, according to the Deputy, was not sustained.
In regard to the third part of the question, the manufacturer or vendor concerned of a jam is amenable to law in regard to the quality and purity of his products, and I have no reason to think that the local authority is not duly enforcing the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts and Public Health Acts in relation to the supervision of food.
In reply to the last part of the question, I would point out that under regulations to be made under the Health Act, 1947, in relation to food and drink, it is intended to introduce improved measures for ensuring that articles of food and drink are manufactured and distributed under satisfactory conditions.
At present there is no power to control in the interests of the public health the manufacture and sale of this foodstuff, save in so far as the requirements of the enactments referred to may act as a deterrent against the manufacture and sale of food which is non-genuine or is unsound.