Written answers

Wednesday, 5 March 2008

Department of Health and Children

Food Labelling

9:00 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines that have been established for food and nutrition labelling to ensure that labelling is accurate, consistent, user-friendly and contains information on portion size and nutrient content; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9500/08]

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Currently, EU general labelling requirements for all foodstuffs are set out in Directive 2000/13/EC. This Directive lists the compulsory information to be included on all labels, such as the list of ingredients, the use-by date and any special conditions of use. In addition to the general legislation, there are certain labelling rules for certain food groups (e.g. country of origin labelling for beef), and specific measures including labelling provisions for certain foods and substances (e.g. beef, fish, chocolate, dietetic foods, food supplements, fortified foods etc).

Nutrition labelling on foods is currently regulated by Directive 90/496/EEC. At the moment, under EU legislation, nutrition labelling is optional, although it becomes compulsory when a nutrition or health claim is made in the labelling, presentation or advertising of a foodstuff or when vitamins or minerals are voluntarily added to foods.

Last January, the European Commission issued a comprehensive proposal on food labelling. This proposal recommended the amalgamation of all labelling legislation, in an attempt to modernise and improve EU food labelling rules, so that consumers have, in a legible and understandable manner, the essential information they need to make informed purchasing choices. In addition, this proposal made recommendations on such issues as front-of pack labelling and allergen labelling.

It is expected that this proposal will be discussed at EU Level over the next two years. My Department, which leads in regard to food labelling, will play an active role in these discussions.

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