asked the Minister for Health if the use of SO 2 as a preservative for soft fruit is forbidden by EEC regulations; and, if so, what steps his Department is taking to provide alternative methods of preservation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soft Fruit Preservative.
10.
Sulphur dioxide (SO 2) is permitted as a preservative in food in the EEC. It is described in the EEC directive as sodium sulphite. This does not necessarily mean that each member State of the EEC permits sulphur dioxide as a preservative in soft fruit. A member State could comply with the provisions of the directive as regards sulphur dioxide by permitting the use of this substance in only one food.
Would there be any possibility that the fact that some other countries do not permit it might restrict our exports to those countries and that it could act as a distortion of the common agricultural policy in relation to soft fruits?
I do not know.
Have the Department of Health made any studies of this question?
I do not know. I have no further information.
May I suggest that the Department should do this?