186 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when she plans to publish the consumer research on food labelling commissioned earlier in 2009; her views on the Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the provision of food information to consumers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44764/09]

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland published the results of its survey on food labelling on the 1st December 2009. This survey will further inform Ireland's position on the Commission's proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers.

The Commission's proposal was issued in January 2008 . Since then a number of meetings has taken place and the next scheduled meeting is on the 8th December 2009. I welcome this proposal as it will bring together all existing legislation in both general and nutritional labelling. In addition, it will offer increased protection to the consumer on such areas as allergen labelling and information on nutrients.