andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health whether any steps have been taken to implement section 56 of the Health Act, 1947, laying down specific standards for quality and the specification of contents of foods and proprietary preparations.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Standards.
9.
Dr. Browne, Mr. M. O'Leary
Regulations have been made under section 56 of the Health Act, 1947, laying down minimum standards of quality for ice-cream.
The section is also being used in conjunction with other sections of the Act in the making of a set of six regulations, controlling the use of additives and the presence of trace elements in food, which I propose to issue shortly.
I have also asked my Food Advisory Committee to examine and report to me on the desirability and feasibility of adopting compositional standards for soft drinks and sausages.
The general question of the adoption of standards for foodstuffs will fall to be considered shortly arising out of this country's membership of the Codex Alimentarius Commission which is developing draft standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw.
The powers under section 56 of the Health Act, 1947, are limited to foods which are of special importance to the public health and, accordingly, would not cover the comprehensive standards, covering all types of food, being evolved under the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Recently a National Codex Alimentarius Committee was set up by the Government to advise on the acceptability, from this country's point of view, of the standards which are now being evolved. Legislation to enable this country to comply with any accepted standards will have to be enacted. Such legislation will involve other Ministers besides myself, including the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.