Walsh action on food labelling welcomed

THE Consumer Liaison Panel has welcomed a prompt response to concerns it had raised with Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh about food labelling.

It said last week’s report from the Food Labelling Group (FLG) followed a recommendation it had made to the minister this summer.

The panel was concerned about the lack of clarity in relation to food labelling and were of the view that consumers had the right to information on the origin of the food they eat.

In a statement it noted that there is full agreement within the Food Labelling Group that consumers have a right to receive information on the origin of the meat they cook in their homes or eat out.

It is the panel’s view that such information should be available to consumers on all food products. In relation to the sale of foods sold loose, the panel agreed with the Food Labelling Group view that more detailed information should be provided to consumers in this area.

Current European Union regulations give member States the option of providing this information and the panel says that Ireland should take up this option and provide the necessary information.

The panel welcomed a recommendation that the current fragmented system of regulation and control of food labelling standards should be streamlined within the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

A proposed one-stop shop will give consumers information relating to all aspects of food labelling and is a major step forward, it said.

The panel also welcomed the group’s recommendations in relation to allergens and the need for improved labelling in this area.

It will fully debate the labelling report at its January meeting.