The Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has confirmed that breaches of food labelling laws continue to take place following a scientific analysis conducted on imported Dutch chicken.
The investigation found that while there was no re-occurring evidence of pork or beef DNA in chicken on the Irish market, as was found in a previous investigation in May 2002; it found there are still cases, as before, of meat content less than that declared on the label.
In other words, the level of water in the chicken is more than is stated on the label.
The incidence of excess water in meat fillets does not pose a food safety risk but is still a serious breach of food labelling laws.
Mr Alan Reilly, Deputy Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority said: "It is very concerning that products emanating in an EU Member State are not meeting EU food labelling laws. Consumer confidence in the EU single market is dependent on equivalent standards across Member States, consistent enforcement and honest labelling."
Following the May investigation the FSAI informed retailers it was their responsibility to ensure labelling of products was not misleading. Although this year's results improved on last year as no added protein from bovine or porcine origin was detected, Mr Reilly urged producers to fully comply with the legislative requirements as "further improvements are necessary."