The importance of being……Irish
Unclear labelling is creating confusion over the authenticity of 'Irish goods' . Consumers should be able to make an informed decision, writes Fionnuala Carolan
Print17 June 2010
The theme of Irish food runs through the magazine this month from the discounting of food feature (page 18) to our Proud to be Irish feature (page 57). Having an Irish symbol or label on a product gives it a certain credence due to the impeccably high standards that are adhered to in our food chain. The infiltration of foreign foods and foodstuffs into the system undermines the quality and accountablility of Irish food and this is why proper labelling is such a vital issue for producers. The Bord Bia Quality mark is seen as the only label that gives the assurance that a product is properly certified and audited. The mark means that the product has met the standards of the Bord Bia Quality Assured Scheme both at processor and at farm level. Specifications for different types of products are developed to the highest standards which exceed the minimum regulations set by the EU.
Food scares around the world are often linked to the downward pressure on pricing on food producers. As is discussed in the feature on page 18, Irish farmers need to be paid a fair share for goods so they can afford to maintain high standards. When European countries are looking for a supply of beef or dairy products, Ireland is the obvious choice from which to source them because we have an ample dairy herd and a small population. Our reputation for high quality produce doesn’t hurt either. In recent times Irish farmers have received assurances from the major multiples that only quality assured Irish beef would be stocked. However there is concern over the mis-labelling of pork products. In the case of certain meats like burgers and sausages, farmers want to see a specification of the particular percentage of meat needed to classify it as an Irish product.
IFA president John Bryan is calling for an improvement in labelling across the board so the consumer knows that if it says it’s Irish, it is not just packed in Ireland or only the last step in the process completed in Ireland.
Misleading labelling will result in inferior imports displacing quality Irish produce on our shelves. Consumers need to be armed with the correct information to make choices about the products they choose. Numerous surveys have revealed that Irish consumers like to buy Irish products when possible but right now there is lot of confusion about which products are produced here and which ones are simply packaged here. And this doesn’t mean we should shun products that are just packaged here because those products are still creating jobs in our economy but it would just be nice to be allowed to make an informed decision.
Fionnuala Carolan
Editor
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