asked the Minister for Health if he has available to him information with regard to regulations setting out the minimum meat content of sausages in each of the present member countries of the EEC and in Britain; if so, whether he will state in each case the percentage of meat which is required; and whether he will now consider bringing in regulations in this country which will bring the position into line with that in Europe generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat Content of Sausages.
4.
Information about regulations dealing with the meat content of sausages in member countries of the EEC is not available in my Department but I can inform the Deputy that the meat content of sausages is not prescribed by regulations in Britain.
The powers which are available to me as Minister for Health in regard to the fixing of food standards are set out in Section 56 of the Health Act, 1947. The Section in question empowers the Minister for Health to make regulations prescribing a standard for the composition of food "where", and only where—I quote—"the Minister is of opinion that the composition of any food (whether consumed by itself or as an ingredient of other food) is of special importance to the public health". I am satisfied that the use of these powers to establish a standard minimal meat content for sausages would not be justified.