Written Answers. - Food Safety.
John Bruton
Question:
141
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if the Public Analysts Laboratory Service has the testing capacity to analyse the presence of all substances in consumer products where such regular analysis is required by EU Directives; and if not, if he will give details of each area of incapacity.
[15482/01]
The surveillance of food for chemical and microbiological contaminants is essential for the protection of public health. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland – FSAI – monitors the safety of food in the food chain in conjunction with 41 official agencies and their associated laboratories. Through this network of co-operation it is ensured that all food consumed, distributed, marketed or produced in the state meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
The seven health boards and the three area health boards within the Eastern Regional Health Authority have responsibility for the inspection of premises and the enforcement of food safety legislation in the non-veterinary food sector, including manufacture, wholesale, distribution and retail premises. They operate under service contracts with the FSAI and provide laboratory services. There are seven public health microbiological laboratories and three public analyst, chemical and physical, laboratories accredited by the national accreditation board for a comprehensive range of analytical methods. In addition there is a central reference facility for salmonella located in University College Hospital, Galway.
The public health microbiological laboratories within the health boards monitor a wide range of retail foods for the presence of micro-organisms, with ready-to-eat foods sampled at the point of sale being the priority for microbiological surveillance. Complaint samples are also submitted by members of the general public. Results from the laboratory analysis of food samples are forwarded to the FSAI where a database has been developed to facilitate the presentation of the national results.
The public analyst's laboratory service is responsible for surveillance of food for chemical contaminants and deals with complaint samples from the public. Chemical testing is performed on a broader range of foodstuffs and with a wider range of test parameters than those used for microbiological testing. In 2000, these laboratories have analysed in excess of 9,000 samples with a 97% satisfactory rate. Each year sampling programmes are prepared with central co-ordination by the FSAI. This process involves close examination of results from previous years, Europe-wide data from a rapid alert system and other issues of public health concern.
Foods are being tested as part of three-year plan allowing a wide range of foods and contaminants to be analysed. The system is flexible enough to allow sampling at local level in addition to the sampling plan, for example, following complaints or suspected food poisoning. Legislative requirements are incorporated in the plan and full coverage can be expected within the aforementioned three year plan. Where gaps were identified, methods for detection are currently being developed which will allow for their incorporation into next year's programme.
