Food labelling laws

Thirdfox

Hello everyone,

Could someone tell me what the law is on food labelling in Ireland? Especially in relation to packaging of nuts - does one need to write the origin of the nut or list the energy value/if any additives/colourings were added?

Could someone point out the relevant law that covers this?

(Does the E.U. have something on this too?)

Thanks!

sh_o

take a look at the food safety authority website which has most of the acts, SIs and EU law on the topic.

Thirdfox

Thanks!

Foreign companies selling products here would be governed by the SIs too?

Tom Young

S.I.s or Statutory Instruments are generally 'vehicles' in order to transpose an EU Directive or Decision. There is little or no margin or appreciation for changes, all that happens is that the Directive is published in the official European Journal or OJ and a date for transposition is included. In some circumstance the civil servants or government can mandate national variants, such as requirements for keeping things etc.

Sometimes EU law conflicts with Irish Constitutional Law and requires an Act of the Oireachtas in order to have the affect required. This is pretty rare though. Article 29.6 of the 1937 Constitution provides a shield in terms of necessitating EU membership etc.

Criminal sanctions might fall foul of the Constitutional shield and a good case on that is Brown v. Minister for Fish and Chips. In which Denham J. struck down a S.I. which was brought in including summary criminal santions for infractions in relation to fishing.

Tom

Carawaystick

Thirdfox wrote:

Thanks!

Foreign companies selling products here would be governed by the SIs too?

Do you mean foreign companies like Tesco/Lidl or do you mean foreign companies like Macvities/Kraft?

I would imagine the onus is on the merchant to sell goods to consumers that comply with any law here.
I couldn't see why foreign merchants selling here would get any derogation of the law... only the EU services directive would come close and that was for services and was shot down.

Thirdfox

I would mean a foreign manufacturer - suppling a supermarket here...

Thanks for the info so far (never thought to check the food safety website!)

Found this which I think has the biggest impact:
http://www.fsai.ie/legislation/food/eu_docs/Labelling/Nutrition%20labelling%20for%20foodstuffs/Dir90.496.pdf

in a more layperson friendly version:
http://www.fsai.ie/publications/posters/Labelling_Poster.pdf