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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Dec 1987

Vol. 376 No. 1

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Irradiation.

7.

asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the irradiation of food both imported and locally produced indicating the directives or regulations, if any, which apply in this matter; the present position regarding information to the public as to whether food has been irradiated; and the proposals, if any, he has in this respect.

22.

asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the amount of processed foods imported into Ireland that have been subjected to irradiation; and if these products are clearly marked and identifiable by consumers.

179.

asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to inform the public as to the extent of foods available in Ireland which have been treated by ways of irradiation to prolong shelf life; if irradiation is used by Irish food processors; the foods currently imported into Ireland which have been subjected to irradiation; his views on the use of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 22 and 179 together.

There is no irradiation of food taking place in this country and no commercial enterprise has applied to the Nuclear Energy Board under the nuclear energy order, 1977 to use an irradiation device in regard to food.

At present there is no test to determine whether a foodstuff has been irradiated. Labelling of irradiated foodstuffs will ensure that the consumer is properly informed. The EC is currently addressing the question of the labelling of irradiated foodstuffs and, when the relevant EC Directives are adopted, these will form the basis of Irish legislation in this area.

Irradiation is a widely accepted technology for the preservation of food and the destruction of harmful food pathogens.Following extensive international research the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, and the International Atomic Energy Agency have accepted the safety of the process and have approved food irradiation for use on certain foods at specified levels.

The foodstuffs which are being irradiated abroad at present and are most likely to be eventually imported into Ireland are strawberries and spices. The other foods which are more commonly irradiated abroad are grains, potatoes, mushrooms and chicken products.

Officials of my Department are currently involved in the preparation of an EC Directive to regulate food irradiation, which will include specific labelling requirements.

Is the Minister aware that there is a wide range of foods coming into this country which have been irradiated and that people are becoming increasingly concerned about this? Many do not wish to eat foods which have been irradiated. What are the Minister's Department doing to ensure that foods which have been irradiated at the very least are labelled so that members of the public would know what they are eating? What is the Minister doing about this matter besides talking about directives which will not be implemented for many years go come? We are talking about now and the concern which has been expressed by the public.

As I have said, the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency have accepted the safety of the process and have approved food irradiation for use on certain foods at specified levels. Officials of my Department are involved in the preparation of an EC Directive to regulate food irradiation. It is important that there should be labelling and we will try to ensure that that is done as expeditiously as possible.

Would the Minister agree that many people would not be totally happy with statements made by the World Health Organisation or anybody else to the effect that it is in order for them to eat irradiated foods? Leaving aside what the World Health Organisation may or may not be doing I ask the Minister whether he is going to bring in directives and controls on foodstuffs to ensure that those which had been irradiated are clearly marked? Is the Minister not aware that this is a technique not used for health purposes but rather to make the product look more shiny, fancy and attractive and is used in the interests of good business rather than in the interests of health? People should not be compelled to eat foods which have been subjected to irradiation if they do not want to do so. I put it to the Minister that there is an obligation on him as Minister for Health to ensure that the information is made available now and not in a few years time when the World Health Organisation may or may not get around to dealing with the matter, depending on what lobbies may be involved at that end?

We do not have legislation at present specifically relating to the irradiation of food. However, the food safety legislation which prohibits the sale of food not of the mature, substantial or quality demanded or the sale of food unfit for human consumption, such as the Sale of Food and Drugs Act or the food hygiene regulations, could be used to prevent the importation or sale of irradiated foods but, as I have said, it is not clear what foods have been irradiated before reaching here as it is not necessary to label the foods.

Would the Minister not introduce controls?

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