Vol. 477 No. 2
75 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Health if the new national food authority will issue guidelines to restaurants, shops and all providers of food to ensure that all food products contain information regarding ingredients, particularly ingredients which can give rise to allergies. [8841/97]
Limerick East): The primary responsibility of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is to ensure that all legal requirements and best industry practices are being observed in respect of food safety and hygiene. This will include ensuring that the labelling of foodstuffs complies with the standards prescribed in the relevant EU legislation and in the national legislation giving effect to the EU measures.
I am aware of the importance which those suffering from food allergies attach to information on, for example, food labels and menus and I know this is among the issues being considered at EU level as part of an examination of how allergy sufferers could be afforded better protection.
However, in view of the wide range of circumstances which can give rise to allergic reactions and the difficulties this could present in ensuring a standard that would be adequate in all circumstances, it may be some time before the EU Commission is in a position to come forward with proposals to amend the existing EU legislation in this area. Nevertheless, given the importance of the matter, I will encourage and support any proposals which would provide better information to food allergy sufferers about ingredients that are likely to cause allergic reactions.
