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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (73)

Martin Browne

Question:

73. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process involved in approving products (details supplied) for use here; the communications issues that led to a delay in the public being informed that these products were found not to be up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33520/20]

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Written answers

Biocidal products, including hand sanitisers, may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and entered on the Biocidal Product Register" in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.

The hand sanitiser Virapro was approved by our Biocides Unit and registered on the 21st April 2020 on the basis of the documentary application, including a technical specification that it contained 70% ethanol which is a common standard for hand sanitiser products and fully complies with regulations.

Following investigations, laboratory results received on 16th October showed that the products did not meet the standards for approval, particularly with regard to the presence of methanol.

The company was immediately instructed to retain all product in its possession and recall all remaining product under the ViraPro name from the market or in use by the public.

On the 20th October ViraPro hand sanitiser was removed from the Department's Biocides Register. On the same day officials had informal contact with Department of Education Procurement Service on the matter.

On 21st October my Department contacted the HSE with results relating to ViraPro products sampled from the earlier consignments which were owned by the HSE.

The primary responsibility for the withdrawal of products rests with the company concerned. On Thursday 22nd October it became evident on the basis of communication from the company that the recall of products had not yet commenced.

At that point my Department took the additional step of issuing a statement outlining the possible risks posed by Virapro products and advising members of the public not to use it. My Department also issued formal notification to Departments of Education, Health and Children. I was informed of the situation by my Department for the first time on the evening of 22nd October.

The Department is taking this matter very seriously, and will continue to follow up and investigate as appropriate.

My Department is continuing to increase its testing of product on the market to provide reassurance in relation to compliance with approved product specifications. Test results available so far indicate no safety issues with other sanitiser products sampled.

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