Vol. 531 No. 4
110 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is an EU requirement that all goods or products containing nuts should be so labelled even when the nut content is less than 25%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6223/01]
There is, at this stage, quite a considerable body of largely EU-led legislation directed at protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers. Responsibility for this legislation is spread over a number of Government Departments, having regard to their respective policy remits.
My Department is responsible for the European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 92 of 2000). These regulations give effect to EU labelling rules of a general nature that apply to all foodstuffs. A codified text of the relevant EU rules is contained in European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/13/EC of 13 March 2000.
The regulations apply to all foodstuffs placed for sale on the Irish market, with the exception of foodstuffs pre-packaged on a retail premises for direct sale to a consumer to which many of the provisions do not apply.
