Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Food Safety Standards.

Dan Boyle

Question:

295 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Health and Children if substances for use in food products are approved under their technical names or are, or can be, approved under brand names of products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2453/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

Substances falling within the remit of my Department which are approved for use in the manufacture or preparation of food products are defined as food additives. Food additives are divided into three groups: sweeteners, colours and additives other than sweeteners or colours.

Only approved additives may be used in the manufacture or preparation of foodstuffs and the legislation regulating food additives includes lists of the specific additives approved for use, with their commonly used technical names. Brand names of food additive products are not included in the lists of the substances approved for use. The trade or brand name may be used by the manufacturer on the label of a specific food additive product such as a table-top sweetener where the product contains primarily that additive, but the label information must also show the common name or its assigned E-number. When the additive is used as one of a number of ingredients in a food product, the technical – common – name or its E-number must be used.

Legislative measures in relation to food additives are primarily developed at EU level and my Department together with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Food participate in this process.