Diners encouraged to ask about traceability

FARMERS have welcomed Bord Bia’s advice to diners to look for information on menus when eating out, or to ask where the food (particularly meat) comes from. IFA president Padraig Walsh said: “Irish farmers are producing premium quality, fully traceable produce that restaurants can source locally.

However, Ireland’s foodservice sector, valued at €5.5bn in 2008, is under serious pressure in face of imports. For example, almost 90% of poultry and 60% of pigmeat sold at foodservice level consists of imported products. Consumers are fully entitled to know the origin of the meat on the menu and I encourage them to be up front and always ask for this information.”

Restaurants committed to providing supplier details and country-of-origin information on their menus will be supported by Bord Bia’s Just Ask! campaign, which has replaced the Féile Bia campaign run by Bord Bia with the Restaurant Association of Ireland.