Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
853. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for the introduction and implementation of the State of the European Union legislation, currently in draft and reported for adoption in the first quarter of 2027, which will require mandatory checks for cereulide in infant formula; the interim measures in place in the State pending that legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47709/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommission Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 lays down microbiological criteria for foodstuffs and the rules to be complied with by food business operators under EU food hygiene legislation.
A draft amendment to that Regulation, concerning cereulide in infant formula, is currently under discussion at EU level through the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, Biological Safety section. The proposal is intended to establish a food safety criterion for cereulide, to be complied with by food business operators as part of their food safety management systems. The proposal remains under consideration and there is not yet an agreed final timeline for completion. If adopted, the Regulation would enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Pending finalisation of the EU measure, interim controls are in place. These include action by food business operators to change suppliers of relevant ingredients, testing of incoming ingredients such as arachidonic acid oil, and extensive testing of finished products. In addition, EU import controls now apply to arachidonic acid oil originating in China due to the risk of cereulide contamination.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as the statutory body responsible for coordinating enforcement of food law in the State, continues to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the HSE National Environmental Health Service and EU partners on this issue. Ireland will continue to participate actively in the EU process to ensure that any final measure is proportionate, evidence-based and protective of infant health.
