Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to ensure that all bottled water sold in the Irish market is tested to ensure compliance with either legal or EU guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42150/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Packaged water, including bottled water, is tested in accordance with the following regulatory provisions; The European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 369 of 2006), the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 225 of 2007) and the European Communities (General Food Law) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 747 of 2007).

The above regulations include microbiological and chemical parameters for bottled water. There is ongoing testing of all bottled water facilities and the frequency of testing increases in line with production volumes. Bottled water plants are inspected by Environmental Health Officers from the Health Service Executive operating under a Service Contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and are visited regularly. Samples are taken and tested generally as part of routine inspections. The primary responsibility for ensuring that only safe food is placed on the market rests with the food business operator, who is also responsible for ensuring that food (including bottled water), satisfies the requirements of food law.