asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the percentage and quality of fish contained in fish fingers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Finger Content.
39.
There is no control on the percentage of fish contained in fish fingers. A standard specification for frozen pre-cooked crumbed fish fingers and fish portions has been prepared and will be published shortly. This standard, which will be optional, will specify 65 per cent fish content and also standards of quality.
Can the Minister state if the size of the fish finger is taken into account?
It is the content primarily.
Is the Minister aware that the smaller the size of the fish finger the greater the amount of batter used, so that the public are being sold flour? Is there any control over this aspect?
This matter has been looked into in a full way by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. From the point of view of the consumer the main concern is the fish content. This has been defined at 65 per cent.
If it is an optional standard, what use is that to the public?
There is another area with regard to enforcement.
If there is a standard why is it not being enforced? Why has it to be optional?
We are starting that way and it will be enforced if necessary.
That is a curious approach.