Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
180 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of breaches of food labelling and traceability regulations detected in the food processing, retailing and catering sectors since 1 January 2004; the number of prosecutions undertaken as a result of such breaches and the number of convictions secured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7452/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the enforcement of labelling and traceability legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2002, SI 483 of 2002, as amended, is the main legislation in Ireland dealing with the general labelling of pre-packaged foodstuffs. However, there are many other labelling provisions contained in separate national and European Union legislation such as provisions relating to nutrition labelling and the labelling of beef, fish, natural mineral waters, approved novel foods, food additives, food supplements, sweeteners as well as declarations on price indication, weights and measures and merchandise markings. Traceability requirements are, in the main, contained in Regulation EC No. 178/2002 and applied from 1 January 2005. There have been no prosecutions connected to traceability requirements to date.
In 2004, the Health Service Executive reported to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that in the course of its inspection programme, 909 breaches of labelling regulations were detected. Food business operators were notified of these breaches and appropriate follow up action was taken, including one successful prosecution. While full information for 2005 is not yet available, it is understood that at least one prosecution is pending for that year.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has advised the Food Safety Authority of Ireland of 862 breaches of labelling regulations in 2004. In all cases the food business operators were notified and further inspections were made to ensure there were no further breaches. It was not deemed necessary to pursue any prosecutions with regard to these breaches. Information for 2005 is not yet available.
During 2004 and 2005 the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs carried out surveys of 892 pre-packaged foods produced by micro and small Irish companies to establish the level of compliance with the food labelling regulations. In 2004, all products surveyed were fully compliant with the relevant legislation and discussions are ongoing with regard to two non-compliant products from the 2005 survey.
Information from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the local authorities with regard to their enforcement activities is not yet available. I have asked the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to forward all outstanding information to the Deputy when it becomes available.
