Written answers

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Department of Health and Children

Food Labelling

9:00 pm

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if additives are checked regularly in respect of ingredients in baby food and other consumer products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33354/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The use of additives in foods for infants and young children is only permitted in very limited circumstances in the legislation which governs the use of additives in foodstuffs throughout the EU, and the small number of particular uses allowed are specifically mentioned in this legislation.

In terms of monitoring of additives in consumer foods and also baby food, the main body responsible is the Health Service Executive through the Public Analyst Laboratories in Dublin, Galway and Cork. In addition the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Dairy Sciences Laboratory are responsible in respect of specific controls on infant formula and follow on formulae.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food legislation in Ireland. The FSAI have advised me that an annual sampling and analysis programme is developed with the laboratories and is carried out on a risk assessment based approach; however, given that only a small number of additives are permitted in foods for infants and young children, and those which are permitted are considered to be extremely safe, the FSAI considers that such uses of additives do not need to be routinely included in the annual monitoring programme.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.