Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Healthy Eating Policy.

Ivor Callely

Question:

133 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health his policy on healthy food eating, the promotion of such healthy eating and the difficulties of such promotions in view of the current crises in the beef and pork industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23028/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Over the last five years, a nutritional health promotion framework for action has been implemented by my Department to improve the nutritional status of the Irish population and help reduce the incidence of diet-related disease. This has involved development at community level, in schools, the workplace and health care facilities. In this context, my Department has worked with the food industry and with relevant voluntary and professional groups.

My Department's healthy eating policy involves the ongoing promotion of the healthy eating guidelines which seek to encourage Irish people to eat a wide variety of foods in line with current recommendations. This is achieved through ongoing healthy eating initiatives like national healthy eating week, which focuses on a different theme each year. The policy also embraces continuing nutrition education for health professionals and expanding community based healthy eating initiatives for lower income groups.

I am very conscious, however, of the understandable food safety anxieties felt by consumers in the wake of recent reports. The Deputy will be aware that a comprehensive review of the food control arrangements in operation in Ireland took place this year. As a result of that review the Government decided to establish the independent Food Safety Board. The establishment of the new board must await the passing of the necessary legislation but, meanwhile, I have established an interim board which is making progress towards the necessary administrative and other arrangements.

While the new board has research, co-ordination and advisory functions, its primary function is its audit-supervisory role in relation to other food control agencies. This will enable it to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of controls operated by those other agencies. The new board will have all the powers necessary to ensure compliance with the highest standards and it will be required to publish the reports of those audits. I am satisfied that by making information available in this way the board will contribute significantly to the level of consumer confidence in Irish food.