Irish consumers have been urged to give their views on EU food and drink labelling in a public consultation process, before the end of this month.
Consumers can air their views on issues such as genetically modified organism (GMO) content, whether salt content should be mandatory on labels, and even the size of the print in the food labelling in the EU process.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) yesterday asked the public to take part in the process to inform European policy in modernising food labelling regulations. The EU is also seeking a coherent approach to food labelling in member states as part of the commission's review from 2006 to 2008.
The FSAI said the consultation focuses on general food labelling (including labelling requirements applicable to all foodstuffs), compulsory and voluntary information, clear and readable labelling, and alcoholic beverages.
It will also cover nutrition labelling (including mandatory labelling, type of nutritional information, placement and presentation of information) and dual labelling. Other food issues to be covered include more specialist areas such as origin labelling, welfare labelling, GMO labelling and health warnings on alcoholic beverages.
Submissions can be made by 5pm on Wednesday, 31st May, via e-mail to consultation@fsai.ie, by fax to 01-8171301 or by post to Consultations, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.