Vol. 407 No. 9
197 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health if any warning has issued to shops or consumers regarding the possible dangers arising from the use of clingfilm on certain foodstuffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following reports in November 1990 in the UK on possible risks associated with food wrapping materials including certain plasticisers commonly used in clingfilm, my Department, as a precautionary measure, advised the public to avoid the use of clingfilm in wrapping food for microwave or conventional ovens or for wrapping foods with a high fat content. I also referred the issue for consideration to the Food Safety Advisory Committee. The chairman of the committee has just submitted the report to me.
The main findings of the report are as follows. Clingfilm should not be used in conventional ovens and for cooking in microwave ovens, it may however be used for de-frosting. The use of clingfilm to wrap certain foods e.g. fresh meat and cheese provides a useful protection from contamination and the report does not see the need to advise against such use. The thicker films used by manufacturers for wrapping meat and cheese do not cause concern.
The report further recommended that there should be correct labelling showing the constituents of clingfilm products and that no new material should be approved for use in packaging unless their safety can be demonstrated.
I propose to take up these findings with other relevant Government Departments and public agencies.
