Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in the context of compulsory labelling of food products, she will take steps to ensure that the role of Country Markets Limited is recognised, in so far as they already have in place a labelling system, which gives detailed information to their customers, and as they only operate the markets for approximately four hours each week and some are summer markets; if, in this context, she will make an exception and confirm that the level of labelling already put in place by Country Markets Limited to cover the sale of products through their 58 markets throughout the country is sufficient and adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38565/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The general labelling of foodstuffs in Ireland is controlled under the European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2002 to 2005. These regulations apply to the labelling of pre-packaged foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer or for supply to mass caterers. The principle underlying food labelling is that the purchaser must not be misled. Thus pre-packaged food sold at markets is not exempt from the labelling requirements that apply to such food sold by other means. However, foodstuffs sold loose, that is without pre-packaging, for example olives sold from drums or cheese sliced at the request of the consumer, need only indicate the name of the food, either on the label, or displayed on a notice near the food.