Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale behind individual stickers being placed on fruit such as apples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27113/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for enforcing EU marketing standards legislation on fruit and vegetables traded in Ireland which helps to ensure that produce on display is labelled properly and in such a way as not to mislead the consumer. There is no obligation on individual producers or traders of fruit and vegetables to individually label pieces of fruit and vegetables in this regard.

The labelling information required is usually marked on the packages in which the fresh produce is supplied. However, if the produce is unlabelled on receipt, the trader still has a responsibility to ensure the produce is labelled before being sold on or put on display for sale.

Products may be presented unpackaged, provided that the trader displays adjacent to the goods offered for sale, a label showing prominently and legibly the information particulars specified in the quality standards relating to origin of the product and, if necessary, the class and variety. The information must be presented in a manner that will not mislead the consumer.

It should be noted, however that some traders/producers of fruit and vegetables choose to place the necessary information particulars on individual pieces of fruit.