Phil Hogan
Ceist:361 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health the tests which are carried out by his Department to ensure the safety of all food additives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 394 No. 8
361 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health the tests which are carried out by his Department to ensure the safety of all food additives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The statutory basis for control exercised by my Department over the use of food additives is to be found in a series of regulations made under the Health Acts, 1947-70, and the European Communities Act, 1972. These regulations specify the additives which may be used in food and in some cases restrict the use of specified additives to certain foods up to specific limits. They are regularly updated to take account of EC Directives.
In addition to these specific controls, the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts and the Food Hygiene Regulations contain provisions which provide general protection to the public by prohibiting the sale of food which is adulterated, contaminated or otherwise unfit for human consumption.