Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Food Ingredients.

John Bruton

Question:

105 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will take steps to ensure that the ingredients used in foods on sale here, particularly prepared meals, are traceable as to their origins whether within or outside Ireland in order that persons adversely affected by bad quality ingredients can secure redress. [15477/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The EU has built up a significant body of laws governing the production, marketing and sale of food products directed at protecting the health and safety of consumers. Responsibility for this legislation is spread over a number of Departments.

Currently in the EU all pre-packaged prepared meals must be labelled in accordance with Council Directive 2001/13/EC relating to the labelling presentation and advertising of foodstuffs as implemented by the EC (Labelling, presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 92 of 2000). Preparation of these regulations is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and they are enforced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland through the environmental health services of the health boards.

There are also rules governing the traceability of food of animal origin such as provided under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 on the establishment of a system of identification and registration of bovine animals and the labelling of beef and beef products. This regulation has been implemented by the EC (Labelling of beef and beef products) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 435 of 2000) and is the responsibility of my Department.

Further legislation to reinforce consumer protection is being proposed by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. The draft regulation laying down the principles and requirements of, food law, establishing the European Food Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety proposes to establish a comprehensive system of traceability in order that targeted and accurate withdrawals can be undertaken or information given to consumers or control officials. I also place a greater onus on food businesses to ensure that the food they supply is safe and that they are held legally responsible for the product's safety.

All food for sale in the European Union, whether produced inside or outside of the EU, must be produced according to EU rules. Manufacturing and processing plants outside the EU are inspected by the European Commission according to EU standards and only then are the products permitted to be imported.

Under Council Directive 85/374/EEC as amended by Directive 1999/34/EC concerning liability for defective products, consumers can have redress under the Liability for Defective Products Act, 1991, as amended.