Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - Labelling Regulations.

Phil Hogan

Question:

221 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is concerned at the loophole which exists at present in labelling regulations which allow manufacturers to differentiate between different types of vegetable oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

Existing food labelling regulations require that the name under which any foodstuff, including vegetable oil, is sold must be sufficiently precise to inform the purchaser of its true nature and to enable it to be distinguished from products with which it could be confused.

Where a vegetable oil is used as an ingredient in another foodstuff, the regulations require that, in listing the ingredients of that other foodstuff, the word "oil" must be accompanied by either the word "vegetable" or an indication of its specific vegetable origin.

These requirements are designed, as are the food labelling regulations generally, to ensure that consumers are given as much information as possible about the foodstuff they purchase. In these circumstances I am unclear as to why the Deputy refers to these requirements as a loophole.