Jim O'Keeffe
Question:66 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position in relation to home baking for sale in retail outlets; whether this is being encouraged or discouraged; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Food Hygiene Regulations.
It is necessary that there should be supervision by the health boards of food production from any source intended for sale to the public. Subject to this overriding concern for public safety, it is the policy of health board enforcement staff to have regard to the scale and particular circumstances of a business in assessing its conformity to the legal requirements.
However, the application of the Food Hygiene Regulations 1950-89 by the health boards to food enterprises operating from domestic kitchens has given rise to representations that the requirements for registration of such premises are unduly restrictive. All such premises are technically subject to registration under the regulations.
The Food Safety Advisory Committee was asked to consider this question and has made a number of suggestions for amendments to the regulations to deal with this category of food business in particular. I hope to be in a position to make such regulations shortly.