Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
648. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of the membership of the Food Reformulation Task Force; if there will be NGO representation on the taskforce; the exact membership of the Oversight and Monitoring Group overseeing the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10955/22]
View answer“A Roadmap for Food Product Reformulation in Ireland” was launched on 3rd December 2021 by Minister Donnelly and myself. The establishment of a Food Reformulation Task Force to implement the Roadmap was also announced. The publication of the Reformulation Roadmap fulfils a key element of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 and of the Sláintecare Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025. It was prepared by the Reformulation Sub-Group of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG).
As stated in the Roadmap, the Food Reformulation Task Force is situated within the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). It is being funded by the Department of Health and will consist of a small number of technical and administrative staff specifically recruited to the Task Force, and therefore will not have NGO membership. Recruitment to the Task Force is well advanced, with the position of Scientist (Task Force Lead) among those having been filled. A detailed workplan for the Task force is in development. As also stated in the Roadmap, the Task Force will be overseen by an Oversight and Monitoring Group chaired by the Principal Officer of the Health and Wellbeing Programme, Department of Health, and will include representatives of the Department, FSAI and OPIOG.
