Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which continuous checks remain in place in regard to food labelling; if particular deficiencies or breaches have been discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12728/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In general, inspections to assess compliance with food labelling are carried out as part of the routine scheduled food safety official controls carried out in food businesses. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has service contracts in place with the official agencies performing official controls, to verify compliance with the extensive requirements of food labelling legislation. The official agencies performing these controls include the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Local Authorities, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and National Standards Authority of Ireland. Authorised officers work with food businesses to raise standards and ensure compliance with food Regulations.

During 2015, 36,353 official control inspections were carried out in HSE Environmental Health Service supervised establishments; 15,011 inspections were carried out in DAFM supervised establishments; 5,033 inspections were carried out in Local Authority supervised establishments; and 2,015 inspections were carried out in SFPA supervised establishments.

During 2015, 25,649 labelling inspections were carried out in HSE-supervised establishments. 7,587 of these resulted in labelling infringements (Beef Labelling - 2,117; Country of Origin for Beef - 751; Fish Labelling - 237; and General Labelling - 4,482).

The FSAI monitors the Irish market to ensure that foods not authorised for irradiation are not offered for sale within the EU and that those authorised for sale are labelled correctly. In 2015, no breaches were identified in this regard.

In 2015, the FSAI coordinated the sampling and analysis of 48 food samples (maize, soya and rice) by the HSE's Environmental Health Service and the Public Analyst Laboratories respectively, for the authorised presence and appropriate labelling of genetically modified food ingredients. Four of the samples analysed (two containing maize and two containing soybean) were found to contain authorised GM ingredients at below the labelling threshold.

In other official agencies' inspections, food labels are checked at production and processor level as part of routine food controls.

The DAFM Egg and Poultry Inspectorate is responsible for controls in barn egg producers, free range producers and egg packing centres. This inspectorate is also responsible for verification of compliance with the marketing standards for eggs and poultry from primary production through to retail. DAFM, through its Animal Feed Division, is responsible for the enforcement of legislation in relation to eggs and poultrymeat marketing. Checks are carried out at primary production, retail and processor level to ensure compliance.

The FSAI advice line responds to consumer and industry concerns on food issues, including labelling. Labelling complaints amounted to 192 in 2015 and 221 in 2016. One of the most common queries in 2016 was in respect of legislation on food labelling requirements. A large proportion of the calls to the Advice Line in 2015 (1,900) sought advice on food labelling. The FSAI has also produced several guidance notes to inform the food industry of the legislation on food labelling and to assist them in meeting their legal obligations.