Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will undertake a review of the food pyramid which leading nutritionists have found to be in need of a major overhaul; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7105/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Food Pyramid was introduced in Ireland by my Department, supported by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, as a nutrition education tool and has since been the cornerstone in all national healthy eating and obesity campaigns. It is a graphic way of communicating balance of food choices for a healthy diet and allows flexibility of choice on each shelf. It is easily understood by all population groups, as demonstrated at annual focus testing from 1993-2005.

In the light of the rapid increase in overweight and obesity and its potential to escalate other health problems, in June 2006, my Department asked the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to review the Healthy Eating Guidelines and, as part of this process, to update the Food Pyramid. A Working Group has been established by the FSAI and is expected to report to my Department with recommendations before the end of the year.

While the Food Pyramid is being updated as part of this review, my Department and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute remain committed to using the Food Pyramid as an educational tool. My Department expects that the review will include some changes to the Food Pyramid and some changes to the Healthy Eating Guidelines; however the basic healthy eating messages which have stayed consistent for more than a decade (e.g. low fat, high fibre, low salt) are not expected to change.