The rules on how ice cream is made in Ireland are about to change for the first time in 65 years

Conor Heneghan

Low-fat ice cream could soon be coming your way.

The regulations regarding the manufacture of ice cream in Ireland are likely to change for the first time in 65 years following a proposal to revoke the regulations, specifically those in relation to milk and sugar content.

The proposal is being made by The Minister of State for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, in an effort to make food healthier and to meet some of the objectives set in the Department of Health’s Strategy ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan’.

Amongst the objectives outlined in the plan is one to reformulate high fat, salt, sugar foods and drinks, including ice cream, which has been stipulated to contain at least 10% by weight of sugar since 1952.

A statement released by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) earlier this week read:

Industry, in an effort to make food healthier and to meet some of the objectives set in the Department of Health’s Strategy ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan’, is seeking to reformulate high fat, salt, sugar foods and drinks.

The stipulation in S.I. No. 227 of 1952 that ice-cream contain at least 10% by weight of sugar presents problems for any company wishing to reduce the sugar content of its ice-cream products.

The purpose of the proposed Regulations is to revoke these compositional standards as soon as possible. Having consulted other relevant government departments and official agencies, it is considered that S.I. No. 227 of 1952 is no longer fit for purpose and has largely been superseded by EU legislation.

Any observation may be made to [email protected] by 15 March 2017.

Food Unit, Department of Health.

Clarifying the situation to Linnalla ice cream later in the week, the FSAI explained that the new regulations won’t mean that manufacturers will have to change their recipe, but will allow ice cream makers to make a product with reduced sugar if they so wish.