Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 423: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she has taken to ensure that the two approved establishments in the State which do not themselves produce cheese but which have special facilities for removing mould growth before selling the product on for further food uses, including the production of processed cheese are not in contravention of the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005 as a result of the capacity of mould on cheeses to produce myotoxins that may defuse into such cheeses and remain present although mould has been removed. [3772/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no known instance of a food safety alert arising from mycotoxins generated by mould in cheese in the State.

The EU Regulations 2073/04 and 1881/2006 which set maximum levels of contaminants, including Mycotoxins in foodstuffs, do not require the testing of cheese for such mycotoxins.

However, the premises to which the question refers are considered to be in the priority category for inspection and sampling based on risk assessment carried out by my Department. The premises are therefore subject to regular audits and surveillance inspections by my Department's inspectorate.

The European Food Safety Authority has given a recent undertaking to carry out a risk analysis on possible penetration of a mycotoxin from mould into cheese. My Department will act on the recommendations arising out of any such risk analysis.