Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Health the regulations in place for the start-up of a private salting parlour for home cured bacon. [1242/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The food regulations that apply depend on the particulars of the food business activity undertaken.

If the activity is intended to produce home-cured bacon for supply to others outside the home, then this food business will be subject to food hygiene and food safety legislation. Ultimately, it is the food business operator who is responsible for ensuring that the food produced is safe.

All food business operators must register with a competent authority, even if operating from home. Competent authorities include the local environmental health office (of the Health Service Executive); the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Local Authority; or the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

The competent authority to be contacted is dependent on the nature of the food business, for example whether the foods are of animal origin, whether they are handled or processed and the quantity of foods being produced.

The food business operator in question can contact the FSAI advice line on 1890 33 66 77 or, alternatively, by email at: