Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bacon Products.

Willie Penrose

Question:

74 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that the current labelling arrangements for bacon and bacon products are adequate to allow consumers to identify genuine Irish products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13585/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

I am satisfied that the regulations for the labelling of bacon and bacon products on sale in this country comply with EU legislation in this area. The European Communities (Labelling, Presentations and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1982 (as amended), which implement Directive 79/112/EEC (as amended) on the labelling, advertising and presentation of foodstuffs, provide, inter alia, that most pre-packaged foods, including bacon products, must include certain information, including the following, on the label: the name of the food; the name or business name and address of the manufacturer, packer or seller established within the EU; and the country of origin if its absence might mislead to a material degree.

It is sufficient under the regulations to provide the name or business name and address of the manufacturer or the packer or the seller, without specifying to which of the three this information relates. The regulations would not permit a requirement to identify products as Irish unless the absence of such identification might mislead consumers to a material degree. My Department and the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the food labelling regulations, are currently looking at certain issues relating to the interpretation of the regulations to ensure that the information provided to consumers, in accordance with the regulations, does not mislead them regarding the origin of products.