Imported ready meals a worry for many Irish

Poor regulations and standards of food production in other countries is the major concern
The survey conducted by Safefood found that consumers in Ireland had far greater trust in products grown or produced on the Ireland, and were not convinced by the rigorous standards and checks that produce goes through at EU borders. Over 50% of Irish consumers are concerned about the safety of food imported from outside the EU, and 43% about food from other EU member.
Since 48% of those with worries said they were concerned about processed food and prepared meals, the findings indicate that manufacturers serving Ireland could be missing out on sales. Imported fresh meat was mentioned by 60% of respondents as being of concern, as was frozen meat or poultry (57%), fresh fish (52%), tinned food (31%), and fruit and vegetables (29%). Forty eight per cent of concerned people said the main food safety issues were poor regulations and standards of food production in other countries; 27% said the quality of imported foods was worrying, and 24% expressed a perception that the further a food travels the higher the risk of contamination.
This review also revealed that consumers found current information on the origins of food misleading and unclear, and would welcome more transparent information on food sources and origins. Currently the EU is reviewing country of origin labeling for a number of food categories. “In the past five years there has only been one outbreak on the island of Ireland thought to be associated with lettuce produced in Europe.
Fuente: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/
Aporte: Alejandra Lavín