Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
330. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the standard to which non-pasteurised, Irish-produced cheeses are tested in Ireland differs from other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/14]
View answer331. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if PCR testing is carried out on non-pasteurised imported cheeses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10413/14]
View answer332. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which Irish cheese producers are selected for PCR testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10414/14]
View answer333. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal basis for PCR testing on cheese; if this is required by EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 333, inclusive, together.
The detection of pathogenic bacteria in food, including raw (unpasteurised) milk cheeses, is an important element of the food safety framework. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is currently the most technologically advanced test for initial detection of verotoxigenic E.coli , known as VTEC. PCR is a rapid screening test and is now the official ISO method used for the initial detection of food borne VTEC. The PCR testing method was recently introduced in some Health Service Executive (HSE) laboratories for this purpose. It was first used by my Department for testing raw milk cheese in July 2013.
VTEC, if present, poses a significant health risk, particularly for children, pregnant women and elderly people. The major advantage of the PCR method over the traditional immunomagnetic separation methodology is its ability to detect all toxin producing serogroups of VTEC and therefore it provides better protection of consumer health. As more E.coli have taken on the genetic material that enables them to produce the toxin that can cause illness, what was once a problem confined to VTEC O157 is now much wider, with many other VTEC serogroups becoming a threat to human health (e.g. O26, O111, O103, O104 etc). The PCR testing method can detect all E.coli that have a gene that codes for toxin production, not just those for E.coli O157. It is used as a screening test only. Where a positive is found using PCR, the laboratory then attempts to isolate and grow the specific bacteria before the presence of VTEC can be confirmed.
Under EU Regulations, the onus is on every food business operator (FBO) in Ireland, as in every other Member State, to put measures in place to produce safe food. Risk assessments are carried out annually. The level of sampling required is based on the results of this risk analysis and compliance history.
My Department does not currently carry out routine PCR testing on raw milk cheese produced by Irish cheese makers, or on imported cheeses made from raw milk. Imported cheese is tested at retail level by the HSE either as part of a national survey or in the course of routine sampling.
However, during 2013, PCR testing was carried out in two cases where an identified risk existed. In one case, raw milk cheese previously made by the producer involved was associated with a food-borne outbreak of VTEC and in the other there was previous evidence of potential contamination of the raw milk with VTEC. In both cases the initial PCR screening indicated VTEC contamination, and critically, this was confirmed by subsequent isolation of VTEC in the cheese concerned.
While there is no specific legal requirement for cheese producers to test cheese for VTEC, EU Regulations require FBOs to produce safe food, to identify food safety hazards in the food they produce, to identify measures to control these hazards and to verify that these controls are working. One such measure of verification is microbiological testing.
EU Regulations explicitly require Competent Authorities within Member States to assess FBOs’ food safety management systems and again microbiological sampling can be used for this purpose. Such sampling may be done to test for certain pathogens for which legal criteria have been set in Regulation 2073 of 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. Sampling may also be done to test for a pathogen for which no criterion is set but which is a hazard that is associated with a particular food (e.g. VTEC and raw milk cheese).
Member States are also required to investigate food-borne outbreaks and to periodically monitor for pathogens that could be passed from animals to humans through foods of animal origin by sampling animals, food and feed, as appropriate. VTEC is an example of such a micro-organism, as it is associated with cattle and is known to periodically contaminate raw milk.
I regard food safety as the platform upon which the Irish agri food sector is built, and in this regard my Department will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations and to maintain the highest standards using the best available technology to ensure that Irish food maintains its deserved reputation for safety and quality.
