asked the Minister for Health whether the content of imitation or substitute cream in confectionery is regulated by order; if so, if he will state the regulations; and, if not, whether in the interests of public health he will take steps to control the manufacture of substitute cream.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Substitute Cream in Confectionery.
5.
Mr. Ryan
As I indicated in my reply to a question by Deputy Dr. Browne on 24th ultimo, the complete composition of any food or drink has not been laid down by statute or under powers conferred by statute. There is, therefore, no statute or statutory instrument specifically regulating the content of imitation or substitute cream in confectionery.
I have indicated also in reply to a question by the Deputy on 25th ultimo that the statutory provisions under which I am empowered to fix standards for foods are specifically limited in their application to cases "where the Minister is of opinion that the composition" of the food is "of special importance to the public health" (Section 56 of the Health Act, 1947). I am not satisfied that present circumstances are such as to warrant my having recourse to those powers with a view to prescribing a standard for substitute cream.
The manufacture of substitute cream is already controlled in certain respects in the interests of public health. The Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950, are designed to ensure that food intended for human consumption is not diseased, contaminated or otherwise unfit for human consumption, and Part III of these Regulations prescribes certain minimum standards, both structural and operational, for premises in which food is manufactured. Registration with the local health authority is obligatory under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950 (Commencement of Part IV) Order, 1951, for all such premises.
Under the Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations, 1928 and 1943, the use of preservatives in most foods, including imitation cream, is prohibited. The use in any food of certain colouring matters, which are set out in Part II of the First Schedule to the Regulations, is also prohibited.