A new campaign to promote Irish food and drink brands is gaining significant momentum, according to its promoters.
Love Irish Food says a further 11 indigenous companies have joined the campaign since it was launched three weeks ago.
A total of 46 leading Irish brands are now taking part in the campaign, which aims to persuade consumers to buy more Irish produce and thereby secure jobs in manufacturing.
The new members include household names such as Bewleys, Butlers Chocolates and Granby Sausages. Existing members include Flahavans, Ballygowan, Cadbury and Avonmore.
Jim Power, chairman of Love Irish Food, said the growth in membership was testament to the firm commitment from the food and drinks industry to creating a sustainable environment and future for the sector.
"I look forward to working with these companies to achieve our mutual goal of protecting Ireland's largest indigenous industry and employer of upwards of 230,000 people."
Other new members of the campaign are: Truly Irish pork, Hodgins Sausages, Silverhill Foods, The Jelly Bean Factory, Mannings Bakery, Galberts Breads, Rosscarbery Recipes and Cuinneog Dairy Products.
Mr Power also unveiled research to show a strong affinity among female shoppers for Irish produce. Two-thirds of females questions in the study the Empathy Research said they preferred to shop in supermarkets that sell Irish brands, while 86 per cent of people believed buying Irish could assist economic recovery.
The Love Irish Foods symbol will be included on packaging of participating companies from next week as the campaign is stepped up. A television advertising campaign starts this week using the slogan "One more makes all the difference".
At least 80 per cent of the manufacturing of a product must take place in the Republic for it to be included in the campaign.
