Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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573. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an up to date report into the standards and processes of Irish producers selling bottled water to the consumers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22235/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The production and quality standards for bottled water are governed by several sets of regulations in Ireland. The regulations covering production include the European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 369 of 2006), and the European Communities (General Food Law) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No 747 of 2007).

Bottled water plants also come within the definition of food business operators under EU legislation and, as such, must meet the requirements set down in EC Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs which was transposed into national law in 2006. Consequently the operators of water production/bottling plants must ensure that they meet the high food safety standards set out in the legislation.

In addition to the general hygiene requirements above at the processing plants, there are separate requirements in relation to bottled water. These are set down in the European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters and Other Waters in Bottles or Containers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No 225 of 2007). These requirements include microbiological, chemical and labelling parameters, including sale descriptions. There is on-going testing of all bottled water facilities and the frequency of testing increases in line with production volumes. Business operators must put in place a safety management system which ensures the water is safe for consumption and meets all legal requirements.

The enforcement of food law is a matter for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Bottled water plants are inspected by Environmental Health Services (EHS) from the Health Service Executive (HSE) operating under a Service Contract with the FSAI and are inspected regularly. Samples are taken and tested generally as part of routine inspections – the EHS are supported by the HSE’s network of official microbiological and chemical laboratories in this regard.

In December 2011, the FSAI released the results of a major survey of the microbiological safety and quality of bottled water in Ireland. It showed a significant improvement in the microbiological quality of bottled water since the previous survey was conducted in 2007. When samples were tested against all four of the microbiological standards in the legislation, 2% were found to be unsatisfactory (compared to 7% of similar samples in the 2007 survey). In addition, where non-compliances were detected, manufacturers were required to take immediate corrective actions.

In collaboration with the FSAI, the HSE organises annual programmes of testing for all foods on sale in Ireland, including bottled water. In 2012 the HSE, as part of the annual surveillance programme, completed 410 analyses on samples of bottled water. No recalls were required during the year.

The FSAI and EHS have worked with the bottled water industry in Ireland to develop guidance on safe and hygienic production of bottled water resulting in an updated national hygiene standard available through the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The FSAI and HSE continue to monitor production sites and retail outlets and to investigate customer complaints.