Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1023. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the work being undertaken by his Department in respect of food product improvement; the expected date for publishing the national plan for food product improvement; the consultations his Department has had with relevant stakeholders in respect of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been working on food product improvement for over a decade. We have met regularly with Food Industry Ireland (FDI) as part of the work of the Special Group on Obesity. While we welcome the positive work of the industry in achieving reductions in fat, salt and sugar, the FDI to date have been providing retrospective data and we would like to see up to date information on the scope of product reformulation broaden and deepen in a more timely manner.
The FSAI programme on salt reduction, which started in 2004 and is ongoing, is an example of an excellent food reformulation success. This work had been guided by the EU Framework on salt reduction and the targets they established. My Department held workshops to facilitate food industry awareness of the targets ad their achievement.
A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan, 2016 – 2025 was launched in September 2016. The Policy sets out a 10 Steps Forward, 20 priorities and 60 actions to be undertaken during its life time.
One of these actions, 3.1, is to agree food industry reformulation targets and review progress. My Department is in the process of establishing a national food product improvement Working Group and is working with the EU Commission on their food improvement bench marks Working Group. These bench marks will be used as a guide for Member States.
