I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 to 421, inclusive, together.
In line with the relevant actions in the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025, a Food Reformulation Working Group is being established and membership is being determined by my Department.
Ireland is actively involved in the EU Food Reformulation Project and is represented by my Department on the EU High Level Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity. The EU High Level Group is agreeing EU targets for reformulation of foods and beverages with Member States across Europe.
I am not in a position to pre-empt the work of the group in advance of the process to it being finalised, but I can say that the Working Group will be a technical group and appropriate health, nutrition and food experts are being identified by my Department and draft terms of reference are being prepared. The Working Group is expected to meet in early autumn to draw up a draft national Roadmap for Food Reformulation following which there will be consultation with the food industry.
The food industry, Food Drink Ireland, has annually presented their reformulation programme and updates to the Department’s Special Action Group on Obesity, the most recent being the Crème Report and the food industry have liaised with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for validation of their work.