Vol. 559 No. 2
44 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the quality of fast food here; the way in which the quality is monitored; if the increased consumption of such food is leading to an increase in obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25717/02]
Food safety is the bedrock of food quality and an extensive monitoring, surveillance and inspection service is in place along each link of the food chain to ensure that food safety standards are respected. My Department plays a key role in ensuring that only food which meets the highest standards of food safety and quality enters the food chain. This is achieved through the deployment of some 2000 staff in monitoring, surveillance and inspection programmes – through the enforcement of strict regulatory controls regarding farm inputs, animal health, veterinary hygiene, animal remedies, plant health and pesticides, through the control of imports of food products and ingredients-materials related to food production, through the enforcement of EU and national rules relating to processing plants, storage and distribution operations, through the network of laboratories and through close co-operation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and other agencies.
The State agencies with responsibility for food promotion, Bord Bia and Bord Glas, have comprehensive programmes in place extolling the virtues of good nutrition and healthy eating habits particularly for the young. A balanced diet is one key to good health. With regard to the worrying increase in obesity in the Western world in recent years, figures suggest that from 1990 to 2001 the prevalence of obesity among Irish adults increased by 67% overall, due to a number of lifestyle changes, not least the lack of day to day physical activity. While calorie intake has not increased significantly, more sedentary lifestyles, perhaps attributable to greater affluence, have meant that while we are not necessarily eating more, we are not burning off energy and this leads to a change in body energy stores and weight gain. The Food Safety Promotion Board's safe food programme provides specific advice on how to motivate children to become active. The value of exercise coupled with good dietary habits is also widely promulgated by the heart health campaign, which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Michael Martin.
Notwithstanding the very flowery answer from the Minister of State, would he agree that statistics have indicated across the USA, Europe and particularly Britain that where there is an increase in the uptake of fast food the health of, particularly children, has decreased. Obesity has increased and there are major implications for the population. Much of it has to do with our way of life, with affluence and having less time to eat a normal meal. Would the Minister of State agree to a crusade in his new job, to look at the fast food industry? Regardless of the food quality, statistics show that as the fast food industry advances the health of a population decreases. This happens across the western world, Japan and everywhere else.
It is fair to say that there is an obesity epidemic not just in Ireland but in the United States in particular. Legal action is being taken against the producers of fast food and many of the fast food outlets. We should look very carefully at the quality of the fast foods from the point of view of food safety. The recent acrylamide scare is something which we should take on board. Would the Minister agree that, given that we have a plethora of agencies dealing with all of this, it might be wise to consider a Department of Food with sole responsibility for food?
The Minister has given a fairly comprehensive reply but would he tell the House if any recent reports have been made on the incidence of monosodium glutamate in the preparation and preservation of food. One cannot go into any catering institution and get a bowl of soup without this very objectionable ingredient. Will the Minister inquire into the use of this ingredient in food preparation?
I thank the Deputies for their questions and comments. In response to Deputy McGinley, I will refer the matter to the Food Safety authority immediately.
I will follow it up.
On the point made by Deputy Timmins, I can only say that I do not intend to start a crusade of examining or pursuing the fast food industry. We all like a little bit of fast food now and again. The two main fast food suppliers are very generous sponsors of sport and fitness and actively promote sport across the board. At least there is a balance for the consumer. I fully agree with Deputy Upton that we have a problem. There is a modern trend of bringing young children to fast food outlets when, perhaps, they should be brought home for their meals. We should all be aware of this and I will ask the Food Safety Authority to look at the issue.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
