Recent DNA test tests undertaken by the Irish Farmers Journal have confirmed that bags of potatoes labelled as queens sold in Donegal were in fact a different variety.
ADVERTISEMENT
Following the results of the recent Irish Farmers Journal investigation which revealed the false labelling of potatoes in a number of outlets in the north west, IFA potato chairman Thomas McKeown said the findings once again highlight the problem of variety mislabelling which undermines the livelihoods of growers.
The chairman said that mislabelling regarding country of origin and variety was a constant problem and IFA has brought this matter to the attention of the DAFM on numerous occasions. Mr McKeown then called on the Department of Agriculture to thoroughly investigate this incident and to penalise those responsible.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Bord Bia potato promotion campaign, which has been running for a number of years, has placed particular emphasis on the consumption of queen potatoes, “it is very disappointing to witness these fraudulent activities which mislead the consumer in relation to the variety”, they said.
Thomas McKeown has also called on the Food Safety Authority to become involved in the investigation as ultimately they are the state body responsible for upholding the legislation around food labelling.
Finally, he said all retailers, especially those who inadvertently or otherwise stocked these particular potatoes, must do more to ensure that they have traceability systems in place which prevent food fraud.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Following the results of the recent Irish Farmers Journal investigation which revealed the false labelling of potatoes in a number of outlets in the north west, IFA potato chairman Thomas McKeown said the findings once again highlight the problem of variety mislabelling which undermines the livelihoods of growers.
The chairman said that mislabelling regarding country of origin and variety was a constant problem and IFA has brought this matter to the attention of the DAFM on numerous occasions. Mr McKeown then called on the Department of Agriculture to thoroughly investigate this incident and to penalise those responsible.
The Bord Bia potato promotion campaign, which has been running for a number of years, has placed particular emphasis on the consumption of queen potatoes, “it is very disappointing to witness these fraudulent activities which mislead the consumer in relation to the variety”, they said.
Thomas McKeown has also called on the Food Safety Authority to become involved in the investigation as ultimately they are the state body responsible for upholding the legislation around food labelling.
Finally, he said all retailers, especially those who inadvertently or otherwise stocked these particular potatoes, must do more to ensure that they have traceability systems in place which prevent food fraud.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS