The Food Safety Authority wants to know what we think when we see the words 'Traditional', ‘Farmhouse’, 'Artisan' or 'Natural' on our groceries.

The FSAI have launched a public consultation on food marketing terms, after putting together a draft code of practice.

Suggestions include proposals that 'traditional' foods should be made to a recipe that's at least 30 years old, or at least the method of making it should have been around for 30 years.

'Artisan' foods have tougher rules to follow - they must be produced in limited quantities by skilled craftspeople and the processing method can't be fully mechanised.

It also specifies the food must be made in a 'micro enterprise' at a single location, and characteristic ingredients must be sourced locally.

The FASI want everyone to take part in the consultation; consumers, regulators and the food industry. The consultation will run for 8 weeks and the closing date for responses is 14 May 2014.  They will then publish a final industry Code of Practice later in the year based on the input they receive.

The Code of Practice, although not legally binding, should help to ensure that consumers are not misled and will aid food businesses in compliance with the labelling, advertising and presentation of food.

“Marketing terms are designed to resonate with consumers. However, when they are used incorrectly they have the potential to mislead. This is a concern that needs to be addressed so we are encouraging all parties to take part in the consultation process and submit their views,” said Dr Wayne Anderson of the FSAI.

Full details are available on FSAI.ie or people who want to take part should visit http://www.fsai.ie/consultations/.