asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement regarding standards of food labelling and governing the information to be given on food labels and whether improvements in these standards are reasonably required; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Food Labelling.
23.
Limerick East): Regulations have been in operation in Ireland for a number of years which require that certain basic information be shown on the labels of foodstuffs. The information required to be shown includes, for example, the name of the food, the list of ingredients, the net quantity, a “best before” date, the name and address of the manufacturer or packer or seller, and other details. The regulations are intended to ensure that the consumer is provided with a reasonable amount of information about the food he or she buys.
I am satisfied with the general level of compliance with these regulations although I am aware that in the case of some products, for example bread, compliance is not satisfactory.
I should point out that apart from the regulations administered by my Department in the area of labelling, separate regulations which also set down some labelling requirements are administered by the Department of Agriculture in relation to a variety of agricultural produce and by the Department of Health in relation to, for instance, foods which claim to be suitable for particular nutritional uses, such as bread for coeliacs or food for diabetics.
As regards improvements on the present arrangements my Department is currently consulting with interested parties, including the food industry, in relation to discussions which are taking place at EC level and which are likely to result in our requiring even more detailed information on food labels, particularly in relation to ingredients used.