asked the Minister for Health what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that kippered herrings and other allegedly smoked fish which are imported into the Republic of Ireland for distribution and sale are neither dyed nor artificially coloured.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Smoked Fish.
As I explained to the Deputy in reply to a similar question on 24th May last, the existing statutory provisions in this matter are designed to ensure that ingredients or materials injurious to health are not added to articles of food for sale, or that any such article which is not of the nature, substance and quality demanded is not sold to the prejudice of the purchaser. Furthermore, certain colouring matters specified in the Public Health (Saorstát Éireann) (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations, 1928, may not be added to food. It is not an offence to sell dyed or artifically coloured fish as such providing that none of the prohibited colours is used.
Action on public health grounds would not be justified in this matter unless one of the above provisions is contravened.
If the Deputy has any evidence that an offence has been committed I would suggest that she report the facts to the relevant local authority on whom rests the responsibility for operating the above enactments.