Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 12

Written Answers. - Food Irradiation.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

77 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he intends to oppose the introduction of food irradiation as envisaged in the proposed EC directive; if he and his colleagues in Government have decided whether this should be permitted prior to all issues relating to its need, appropriateness, safety, detectability, labelling, wholesomeness, control and overall costs to society and the environment being considered; if all such considerations have been fully evaluated and subjected to public scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

At my request the Food Safety Advisory Committee carried out a comprehensive review of all the issues related to food irradiation including proposals formally made by the European Commission for a Council Directive concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionizing radiation (88/C336/06).

The committee recommended that the Commission's proposals be accepted in principle, because the technology presents no hazard to the health of the consumer when applied in accordance with the conditions proposed and that it would be another weapon in the armoury against foodborne diseases, and would help to reduce spoilage of foodstuffs.

The proposals for a directive are still under consideration at Community level and the matter will be referred again to the Food Safety Advisory Committee when final draft proposals are available.