Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 1

Written Answers - Food Safety.

Brendan Smith

Question:

166 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the recent report of the Food Safety Authority that imported chicken is in breach of food labelling laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8972/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The enforcement of general labelling regulations which apply in this instance is a matter for the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. However, I have been concerned for some time about food labelling issues generally. As a result, in July last year I established a food labelling group to examine issues surrounding food labelling in the context of consumer expectations and concerns. This group reported to me in December 2002. I have recently agreed a strategy for the implementation of the recommendations of the group.

While I am concerned that there was mis-labelling of the chicken fillets imported from the Netherlands referred to in the report by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, it is important to note that the FSAI has confirmed to me that the meat in question poses no danger to human health.