Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
1056. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the timeline as to when she was made aware of the large scale baby formula recall (details supplied); the procedure that was followed in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11634/26]
View answer1057. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the safeguards that are in place to minimise the impact of a largescale baby formula recall (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11635/26]
View answer1058. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the actions she is taking to engage with the HSE in relation to the series of recent recalls of baby formula; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11636/26]
View answer1059. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is an emergency plan being put in place in reaction to the series of recent recalls of baby formula; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11637/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1056, 1057, 1058 and 1059 together.
In Ireland, responsibility for food safety, including the management and communication of food recalls, rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), which acts as the competent authority under food safety legislation.
FSAI leads the national response when a food safety risk is identified, this process is governed by EU food law, including Regulation (EC) 178/2002.
Timeline of Ministerial Awareness
Following the publication of the European Food Safety Agency’s (EFSA) rapid risk assessment on cereulide in infant formula Danone informed the FSAI that they intended to expand the recall of infant and follow-on- formulas. My Department was informed of the recalls when the issues were identified and assessed by the relevant authorities.
When the recall was initiated the FSAI implemented established procedures to ensure that clear, timely and consistent information was provided to the public. This included:
• Direct communication with retailers and distributors to ensure affected products were removed from sale;
• Publication of food safety alerts to inform consumers;
• Engagement with media outlets to disseminate public health advice to parents and caregivers;
• Liaison with relevant health authorities and consumer groups to ensure that advice was accessible and that it was widely communicated.
Safeguards to Minimise the Impact on Families
Ireland’s food-safety regulatory system includes the following:
• Mandatory traceability requirements enabling identification of affected batches;
• Continuous oversight by authorised officers including the HSE/National Environmental Health Service (NEHS), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and other official agencies operating under service contract to FSAI;
• Participation in the EU-wide Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) ensuring swift cross-border communication; and
• Enforcement measures such as compliance notices and closure orders, where required.
These safeguards support timely intervention, protect vulnerable consumers such as infants, and minimise disruption to families, as much as possible.
Engagement with the Health Service Executive (HSE)
My Department continues to engage with the FSAI, receiving ongoing briefings and updates, on the management of the incident as it progresses.
The Department of Health engages closely with the HSE’s Health Protection Office and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, receiving regular updates on surveillance findings, risk assessment, Public Health management and relevant international Public Health coordination.
Supply planning
I am aware that recalls of infant and follow-on formula are concerning for parents, guardians and caregivers. I am aware of concerns regarding the supply of infant formula following reports of recalls in other jurisdictions. Based on information available to date, FSAI has advised my Department that there is no indication of a general shortage of infant formula in Ireland. The situation continues to be monitored closely, including through engagement with EU counterparts and suppliers.
I will continue to keep the situation under review and will be guided by the advice of the relevant public health and food safety authorities.
A comprehensive set of safeguards are already in place to minimize risk and safeguard public health.
Key safeguards include:
• Regular inspections and official controls carried out by competent authorities to ensure food businesses comply with legal requirements;
• Enforcement action when a business is found to be non-compliant or poses a risk to public health;
• Established recall and withdrawal procedures that allow for the rapid removal of unsafe food from the market;
• Ongoing food safety training and education to ensure food businesses understand and meet their obligations;
• Targeted food testing and surveillance, including monitoring of higher risk foods such as infant formula;
• Public notices are issued through multiple channels—including online updates, media (radio, TV, newspapers), and email alerts—to ensure parents, caregivers, and retailers receive accurate information as quickly as possible. This helps safeguard consumers and supports the protection of public health.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation and engage with the relevant public health and food safety authorities in this matter.
