asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the contents of proprietary medicines, jams, sauces and so-called medicinal drinks be clearly stated on the labels.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labelling of Proprietary Goods.
16.
Under Article 6 of the Medical Preparations (Advertisement and Sale) Regulations, 1958, the constituents of all medical preparations sold to the public by retail must be listed on a label or on the packet or container.
As regards foods and drinks, it is only where I prescribe standards that I am empowered to make regulations controlling specifically their labelling or description; I have no power to prescribe a standard except where I am of opinion that the composition of the food or the drink is of special importance to the public health.
My main responsibility in relation to foods and drinks is to guard against the marketing of articles which contain harmful ingredients. The position in this respect is governed by the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, under which samples of foods are taken regularly for chemical analysis.
I do not at present propose to take steps towards controlling the labelling of the goods, other than medicines, mentioned in the Deputy's question.