Most shoppers think country-of-origin labelling on food is unclear

Only 11 per cent of shoppers believe the country-of-origin labelling on food produce in Irish shops is clear, according to a survey by lobby group Love Irish Food.

Apart from a small number of food products like beef and fish, there is no legal requirement to show country-of-origin information on processed grocery food products.

In practice, this means chicken imported from abroad and coated with bread crumbs here can be labelled as made in Ireland.

“As a result Irish shoppers are confronted by mis-directed information as they try to be confident in the food that they feed to their families,” the Love Irish Food group said.

Research carried out by the group found 95 per cent of consumers would like to see country-of-origin labelling on all grocery food and drink products.

The group said brands that sound like they are produced in Ireland using for example Irish family names or old Irish brands that were once produced here but are now imported are causing confusion to Irish shoppers in their search to know where these products are produced.

“Lyons Tea, Cully & Sully soups and HB Ice Cream are examples of products that some people believe are Irish made,” it said.

Executive director of Love Irish Food Kieran Rumley said: “At a time when confidence in what you are buying and knowing where everyday grocery products are produced is critial to Irish households, Irish shoppers feel greater clarity on labelling is required.”

“Made at an Irish or even English, French or Polish address would give shoppers the information that they need to decide if they want to continue buying from that source.”