Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1023. To ask the Minister for Health the work being undertaken by his Department in respect of food product improvement; the expected date for publishing the national plan for food product improvement; the consultations his Department has had with relevant stakeholders in respect of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20169/17]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working on food product improvement for over a decade. We have met regularly with Food Industry Ireland (FDI) as part of the work of the Special Group on Obesity. While we welcome the positive work of the industry in achieving reductions in fat, salt and sugar, the FDI to date have been providing retrospective data and we would like to see up to date information on the scope of product reformulation broaden and deepen in a more timely manner.

The FSAI programme on salt reduction, which started in 2004 and is ongoing, is an example of an excellent food reformulation success. This work had been guided by the EU Framework on salt reduction and the targets they established. My Department held workshops to facilitate food industry awareness of the targets ad their achievement.

A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan, 2016 – 2025 was launched in September 2016. The Policy sets out a 10 Steps Forward, 20 priorities and 60 actions to be undertaken during its life time.

One of these actions, 3.1, is to agree food industry reformulation targets and review progress. My Department is in the process of establishing a national food product improvement Working Group and is working with the EU Commission on their food improvement bench marks Working Group. These bench marks will be used as a guide for Member States.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1024. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made on the development of a code of practice for the marketing, retail promotion and sponsorship of high fat and sugar foods; when this will be finalised; the consultation which has taken place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/17]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Non-Broadcast Advertising and Marketing of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, including Sponsorship and Retail Product Placement: Voluntary Codes of Practice, is one of the 60 actions of 'A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025. In developing the Code the Department has involved all relevant sectors including, but not limited to, IBEC, FSAI, DFAM, ASAI, FDI, Safefood, BAI etc. The development also included presentations from the academic sector and retailers. The Codes are in the final stage of preparation.