asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism whether he intends to amend the relevant regulations to ensure that all food, confectionery and other similar consumer items will carry a full description in intelligible and accurate language of the contents of such products; if he is satisfied with the present position in this respect; and the controls or monitoring he operates at present to ensure that the public interest and public health are safeguarded.
Written Answers. - Food Labelling.
My Department are at present finalising draft regulations to implement EEC Directive 79/112, known as the Food Labelling Directive. These regulations will require the labels of prepacked food to give a clear and easily understandable indication of, among other things, the ingredients of the product. I expect to be making the regulations shortly and I am confident that they will represent a significant advance in the level of information available to consumers.
With regard to the Deputy's reference to public health, I understand that the Department of Health, through the health inspectorate, carries out an elaborate food sampling programme with a view to ensuring that public health is safeguarded, and that this operates satisfactorily.