Chapter 3- The Irish Diet And The Irish Food Industry

Question 1

Historical Development of Food 1900-1930 (6)

Answer 1

• Potatoes, homemade bread and porridge were the staple foods
• Meat was only eaten on special occasions
• Sugar consumption increased greatly
• Adequate supply of dairy products
• First world war caused an increase in food prices and food shortages
• Stewing and boiling

Question 2

Historical Development of food 1930-1950 (4)

Answer 2

• Second world war meant food shortages and rationing
• fat consumption increased due to the consumption of more meat
• Imported fruit and vegetables became available
• Shop bought food became available in urban areas and was considered superior

Question 3

Historical Development of food 1950-1990(10)

Answer 3

• White bread replaced brown bread
• Bacon and eggs were popular among the middle class
• Growing demand for convenience foods
• Rural electrification meant food could be refrigerated
• Increase in prosperity and foreign travel so foreign restaurants were set up
• The first supermarkets were set up
• Greater demand for processed and convenience foods
• Meat and dairy consumption increased and potato and bread intake decreased
• Vegetable intake decreased
• Wider variety of cooking methods

Question 4

Historical Development of food (1990-today) (10)

Answer 4

• Meals are irregular
• Pasta rice and couscous have replaced potato as a staple food in main meals
• Frying, grilling, roasting and microwaving has been replaced by stewing and boiling
• Increased demand for processed foods
• Eating out is more common as it is cheaper
• Fortification of many food products has lead to an increase in vitamins and minerals in the diet
• People are more health conscious and aware of current nutritional guidelines and are demanding healthier food
• improved standard of convenience foods
• Products come with better nutritional labelling
• People shop in a price conscious way and competition between supermarkets is forcing down food prices

Question 5

List three surveys implemented in Ireland

Answer 5

The SLÁN- surveys of lifestyle, attitudes and nutrition
The National Adult Nutrition Survey- universities
The Healthy Ireland Survey- department of health

Question 6

Areas of malnutrition in the irish diet- fibre (2,4,4)

Answer 6

causes- 
-to much refined foods 
-not enough wholegrain
Effects- 
-constipation,
 -IBS,
 -diverticulitis,
- bowel cancer
Corrective measures- 
-choose wholegrain non refined foods,
-eat fruit and veg with the skins on,
-snack on nuts and seeds,
-include more pulses

Question 7

Areas of malnutrition in the Irish diet- Iron(3,2,3)

Answer 7

Causes- 
-not enough haem and non-haem iron
-not enough vitamin c
-iron inhibitors 
Effects-
-Anaemia
-Muscle fatigue
Corrective Measures-
-increase haem and non-haem iron
-increase vitamin C
-avoid iron inhibitors

Question 8

Areas of malnutrition-calcium(3,5,3)

Answer 8

Causes-
-not enough calcium
-not enough vitamin D
-calcium inhibitors
Effects-
-rickets
-osteomalacia
-osteoporosis
-tooth decay
-blood wont clot
Corrective measures-
-consume 3 portions a day (5 if teenager)
-Increase intake a vitamin D
-Avoid inhibitors

Question 9

Areas of malnutrition in the Irish diet- fat(2,4,6)

Answer 9

Causes-
-foods high in animal fats 
-processed foods and takeaways
Effects-
-weight gain
-high cholesterol
-coronary heart disease
-type 2 diabetes
Corrective Measures-
-use butter and other solid fats sparingly
-Use polyunsaturated spreads instead of butter
-choose low-fat dairy products
-avoid frying food
-trim excess visible fat of meat
-choose lean meats and white fish

Question 10

Areas of malnutrition in the Irish diet-sugar(2,3,6)

Answer 10

Causes-
-consuming foods high in sugar
-overconsumption of processed foods
Effects-
-Weight gain
-Type 2 diabetes
-dental decay
Corrective Measures-
-Choose low sugar products
-Choose no-added sugar breakfast cereals
-Use artificial sweeteners or dried fruit
-Choose fresh fruit instead of canned fruit in syrup
-Avoid fizzy drinks
-Don't add sugar to tea or coffee

Question 11

Reasons for the success of the Irish food industry-Climate and landscape(2)

Answer 11

• Irish climate has a high average rainfall, with gentl mild winters which allows for grass growth leading to a strong livestock industry and milk production
• Rich fertile soil enables extensive tillage farming of cereal crops

Question 12

Reasons for the success of the Irish food industry-History and tradition (2)

Answer 12

• Rich tradition of local home-made foods which have become popular through small speciality-food businesses e.g jam or soda bread
• Strong dairy and livestock farming tradition in Ireland means industries remain at a high standard

Question 13

Reasons for the success of the Irish food industry- Government agencies(3)

Answer 13

• Bord bia provides advice, guidance, promotion and support for agri-food business
• Many agencies offer start up grants
• Impose regulations which assisted Irelands export success as countries are assured of safe, high-quality food.

Question 14

Reasons for the success of the Irish food industry-Coastline (1)

Answer 14

-unpolluted seas to fish for seafood

Question 15

Irelands major exports (6)

Answer 15

• Meat and livestock
• Dairy and ingredients
• -Prepared foods
• Beverages
• Seafood
• Edible horticulture and cereals

Question 16

Reasons for importation of goods (4)

Answer 16

• To offer a wide variety of foods to consumers
• To provide foods which may be out of season all year round
• To meet the demands for a particular product
• To make foods which cannot be made in ireland

Question 17

Irelands food imports(6)

Answer 17

• Dairy and ingredients
• Edible horticulture and cereals
• Beverages
• Prepared foods
• Meat
• Seafood

Question 18

Define speciality foods

Answer 18

These are high quality foods produced in limited amounts by small businesses or home enterprises and they use non-industrial traditional skills

Question 19

List four examples of speciality foods

Answer 19

• jam
• relishes
• chocolate
• cheese

Question 20

Advantages of small businesses(3)

Answer 20

• They provide direct and indirect employment for relatively small amounts of people
• They promote the area in which they are based
• They enhance Ireland’s reputation as a producer of high quality food and drink

Question 21

Factors that have affected the changes in eating habits (6)

Answer 21

• improvements in transportation-urban to rural or abroad
• improvements in water and electrical supplies- vast variety of appliances and new cooking methods
• technological developments- food processing-wider variety of foods, agricultural practices- higher crop yields
• Historical events- The wars led to food shortages and food rationing
• The impact of foreign cultures- new food and cooking methods introduced
• Nutritional campaigns- improved healthy eating guidelines, nutritional research

Question 22

Teagasc (3)

Answer 22

• training and advice
• courses in the ITs
• Research centre

Question 23

Bord Bia (4)

Answer 23

• Provide information to the consumer
• Promote irsh businesses at home and abroad
• Bord Bia Quality Mark
• Origin Green initiative

Question 24

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (4)

Answer 24

• Developed the irish marine, fishing ang aquaculture industries
• Provides advice
• Works with national fisheries colleges to run courses that promote careers in fishing
• Develops a range of information material on the health benefits of fish in the diet

Question 25

Enterprise Ireland (3)

Answer 25

• Promotes irish businesses at home and abroad
• Works with entrepreneurs by providing grants, advice and mentoring
• Responsible for foreign owned food/drink companies in Ireland

Question 26

Department of health(3)

Answer 26

• Enforces food law through the food safety authority of Ireland
• Develops health promoting strategies with the Health Service Executive
• Develops food safety policies